Figurative Language
On this page you will learn how to identify and define figurative language
There are two types of general language, figurative and literal. These two types of language are used for a variety of effects while writing or speaking. Being able to identify each of them is important to understanding literature. Below you will find a definition of figurative and literal language, along with an example.
Under that you will find a list of type of figurative language. This is not a complete list! These are the most common forms of figurative language found in high school level literature.
Figurative Language
Creates meaning by asking the reader or listener to understand something by virtue of its relation to some other thing, action, or image.
"He is as tall as a mountain."
Literal Language
Creates meaning by describing something explicitly rather than by reference to something else.
"He is six feet and two inches in height."
Sound Devices
Sound devices is figurative language that rely on the physical sound of words. Writers use sound devices often in poetry writing, but it is also present in other non-poetic forms such as advertising and clever wording in prose.
alliteration: the repetition of the beginning sounds in groups of words, usually at the beginning of a word or stressed syllable; e.g., descending dew drops; luscious lemons
anaphora: the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several successive verses, clauses, or paragraphs
consonance: Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.
onomatopoeia: using words that imitate the sound they denote
sibilance: Use of consonants that make a hissing sound (like s, ch, z or sh)
rhyme: The duplication of final syllable sounds in two or more lines.
Imagery
Imagery, in figurative language, is when an author uses the senses to describe or relate to an object or subject. There are five types, one for each of the senses.
Keep in mind that just because an author is describing what something looks or tastes like, that does not always mean it is imagery.
Imagery is when the senses are used in a figurative way (not literal) to create a sensation in the reader.
tactile imagery: descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch
olfactory imagery: descriptive language that appeals to the sense of smell
visual imagery: descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sight
auditory imagery: use of language to represent an experience pertaining to sound
gustatory imagery: descriptive language that appeals to the sense of taste
Literary Devices
Literary devices are techniques that writers use to express their ideas and enhance their writing figuratively. Literary devices highlight important concepts in a text, strengthen the narrative, and help readers connect to the characters and themes.
Recognizing literary devices is important for readers to help with analysis and to understand and explain how an author is shaping a text.
Please note, this is not a complete list! These are the most common forms of literary devices found in high school level literature.
allusion: a reference to a familiar literary or historical person or event; allusions my be classified as: Classical - "The man was Atlas personified"; Biblical - "My friend acted like a Judas"; Historical - "He was a Napoleonic figure"; Literary - "He was a real Romeo"
anachronism: is the poetic device which places a person, thing, or event in a time frame where it does not belong; e.g., The clock has stricken three.
antithesis: words, phrases, etc that deliberately contrast one another
hyperbole: exaggeration
metaphor: a statement that one thing is something else vs. like something else
metonymy: substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in 'they counted heads' vs they counted people)
motif: recurring symbol
oxymoron: conjoining contradictory terms (as in 'deafening silence')
personification: a non-animal thing or object (such as a table or weather) given human qualities
simile: comparison using like or as
symbol: Something that stands for something else
synecdoche: using a part of something to represent the whole thing (e.g. "They were loyal to the crown" instead of "the king")
synesthesia: describing one kind of sensation in terms of another (e.g. The sweet sound of the birds)