incorporating figurative language

7/30/2019 Incorporating Figurative Language

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INCORPORATING

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

INTO

YOURWRITING

Adrienne Salinas


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DEFINITION:

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (n): speech or writing

that departsfrom the literal meaning

in order to achievea special effect or meaning


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PURPOSE:

Creates vivid images

Gives a distinctive style

Captures readers attention

Draws reader into the story


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USES: To enhance your own personal

style of writing

To make the reader think more

about your statement

To create writing that is more

pleasurable and entertaining

To convey complex & abstract ideas


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SIMILE:

X is like YX is more than Y

X is similar to Y

X is not like YX is less than Y

X resembles Y

X is the same as YX does Z; so does Y

X makes me think of Y

Comparing twovery different thingsthat have something in common

Example: Moneyis likefertilizerits not any goodunless you spread it around. (Adapted from Francis Bacon)

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Methods for Constructing Similes:


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METAPHOR:Comparing two different things by

identifying the subject with the image

Example: The first beamof hope that had everdarted into his mind rekindled youth in his cheeks anddoubled the lustre of his eyes. (Samuel Johnson)

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Methods for Constructing Metaphors:

life is a river

life flows

the river of life

swimming upstream in life

lifes river

a flowing life

using the subject of lifeand the image of a river


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METONYMY:

Type of metaphor: an associated idea is

substituted for the subject idea

Example:

Thepenis mightier thanthe sword.(Edward Bulwer-Lytton)


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CATACHRESIS:Type of metaphor: substituting an associated

thing for the intended idea

Example:

I will speakdaggersto her, but use none.


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IRONY:A statement whose hidden meaning is

different than its apparent meaning

Example:

It is a truth universally acknowledged,

that a single man in possession of a good

fortune must be in want of a wife.(from Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen)


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PERSONIFICATION:Giving human attributes to animals, objects, or ideas

Example:

The wind stood up and gave a shout.

Hewhistled on his fingers and

Kicked the withered leaves about

And thumped the branches with his hand

And said he'd kill and kill and kill,And so he will! And so he will!

(from "The Wind by James Stephens)


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HYPERBOLE:

An overly exaggerated statement

Example:Give me a thousand kisses, then a

hundred, then another thousand, then a

second hundred. Then still another

thousand, then a hundred.(Edward Bulwer-Lytton)


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AVOID:

Clichs slept likea log

happyasa clam

Overuse

Unclear language


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OVERVIEW OF TERMS:

Simile: comparing two verydifferent things that have something

in common

Metaphor: comparing twodifferent things by identifying the

subject with the image

Irony: a statement whosehidden meaning is different than itsapparent meaning

Personification: giving

human attributes to animals,

objects, or ideas

Metonymy: an associatedidea is substituted for the

subject idea

Catachresis: substituting

an associated thing for the

intended idea Hyperbole: an overly

exaggerated statement

incorporating figurative language

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