Figurative Language

Figurative
Language

Figurative language is phrasing that
goes beyond the literal meaning of
words to get a message or point across.

The chief function of figurative
language is to communicate the
writer’s message as clearly as possible.

Writers use figurative language to
create imagery, which is a strong
mental picture or sensation.

01 SIMILE

A COMPARISON USING THE WORDS
"LIKE" OR "AS" :

EX. SHE WAS AS PRETTY AS A PEACOCK.

A COMPARISON WITHOUT USING THE
WORDS "LIKE" OR "AS" :

EX. MUSIC IS THE DOCTOR FOR WHAT
AILS OUR SOUL.

02 METAPHOR

03 PERSONIFICATION

GIVING HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS TO
NON-HUMAN THINGS:

EX. THE SEA WAS CALLING ME TO
COME AND JOIN IT.

EXTREME EXAGGERATION USED TO
MAKE A POINT:

EX. IF I HAVE TOLD YOU ONCE. I HAVE
TOLD YOU THOUSAND TIMES.

04 HYPERBOLE

05 IDIOM

WORDS HAVE DIFFERENT MEANINGS
FROM THE DICTIONARY.

EX. IT IS RAINING CATS AND DOGS.

A PUN IS A PLAY ON WORDS. IT
EXPLOITS THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF A

WORD OR ITS HOMONYMS, USUALLY TO
HUMOROUS EFFECT.

EX. TIME FLIES LIKE AN ARROW. FRUIT FLIES
LIKE A BANANA.

06 PUN

07
ONOMATOPOEIA

WORDS THAT MAKE THEIR OWN
SOUNDS:

EX. RUFF,RUFF WENT THE DOG.

REUSE OF BEGINNING SOUNDS NOT
LETTERS:

EX. THE KING CAN'T RULE WITH A
CARROT; HE MUST USE HIS CROWN.

08 ALLITERATION

09 IMPLIED METAPHOR

EX. HE BARKED COMMANDS AT THE
TEAM. (WHICH IMPLIES
COMPARISON TO A DOG).

ALLUSION IS
WHEN A TEXT REFERENCES ANOTHER EXTERNAL TEXT—OR
MAYBE A PERSON, PLACE OR EVENT.
IT CAN BE EITHER EXPLICIT OR IMPLICIT.
EX. WE’VE ENTERED
A GARDEN OF EDEN” IS
AN ALLUSION TO THE BIBLICAL PLACE, FOR INSTANCE.

10 ALLUSION

REFERENCE

MASTERCLASS. (2020, OCT 2). FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. [WEBSITE]
FROM HTTPS://WWW.MASTERCLASS.COM/ARTICLES/WRITING-101-WHAT-IS-
FIGURATIVE-LANGUAGE-LEARN-ABOUT-10-TYPES-OF-FIGURATIVE-LANGUAGE-
WITH-EXAMPLES#WHAT-IS-FIGURATIVE-LANGUAGE