What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from

the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated
meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. It uses an
ordinary sentence to refer to something without directly stating it.

Fiction writers use figurative language to engage their audience using a

more creative tone that provokes thinking and sometimes humor. It
makes fiction writing more interesting and dramatic than the literal
language that uses words to refer to statements of fact.

Types of Figurative Language

There are several types of figurative languages that are used in modern
writing. They include:

1. Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things and uses the
words “like” or “as” and they are commonly used in
everyday communication. A simile is used with the aim of sparking an
interesting connection in the reader’s mind.

An example of a simile is, “The cat sat in the chair like a king overlooking
his kingdom.” The cat’s sitting posture is compared to that of a king who
relaxes in a special chair that is reserved for him and not any other person
in the kingdom.

Other examples of similes include:

 The boy was as brave as a lion in the jungle.

  The assistant was as busy as a bee when she was preparing the
podium for the presidential address.
 The new teacher is as tall as a giraffe.
 The new neighbor is as curious as a cat; nothing escapes her
attention.

2. Metaphor

A metaphor is a statement that compares two things that are not alike.
Unlike similes, metaphors do not use the words “like” or “as.” Such
statements only make sense when the reader understands the connection
between the two things being compared.

An example of a popular metaphor is “Time is money.” The statement

compares time and money, and it does not literally mean that the amount
of time you have equals the money that you have. Instead, it means that
time is a valuable resource, and it should be used effectively to earn
money. Any time wasted means that a person loses the chance to make
more money.

Other examples of metaphors include:

 The warrior has a heart of stone.

 Love is a battlefield.
 Baby, you are my sunshine.
 Chaos is a friend of the legislator.
 I am drowning in a sea of grief.
 My roommate is going through a rollercoaster of emotions.

3. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggeration that is created to emphasize a point or bring

out a sense of humor. It is often used in everyday conversations without
the speaker noticing it. The exaggeration is so outrageous that no one
would believe that it is true. It is used to add depth and color to a
statement.

An example of hyperbole is, “I would die for you.” The sentence does not
necessarily mean that one person is literally willing to die for the other,
but it used to exaggerate the amount of love that one person has for
another person. Death is only used to show the extent of affection.

Other examples of hyperbole:

 I have told you a million times to wash the dishes.

 You are so slender that the wind can carry you away.
 The afternoon is so bright that the sun would have to wear
sunglasses.
 You snore like a freight train.

4. Personification

Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-living

objects. Using personification affects the way readers imagine things, and
it sparks an interest in the subject.

An example of personification is, “The sun greeted me when I woke up in

the morning.” The sun is a non-human object but has been given human
characteristics since greetings can only be performed by living creatures.

Other examples of personification include:

 April is the cruelest month of the year.

 The radio stared at me.
 The car brakes screamed all through the journey.
 The car stopped with a groaning complaint.

 
An apostrophe is a figure of speech in which some absent things or dead person is directly
addressed as it is present and able of understanding. It is an exclamatory figure of speech.
Sometimes, exclamation used in it. For example,

We use an apostrophe when w

I am to I’m,
However the terms have similar start but their meanings are very different. Do not to Don’t
I will to I’ll
We have to we’ve etc.
Apostrophe as a literary device vs Apostrophe as a punctuation mark

Common Examples of an apostrophe

As we know that the use of apostrophe and also familiar with using apostrophe
without realizing it.

Apostrophes are found in daily writing or daily speech, plays and poetry as well
as literature.

Here are some common examples of apostrophe

1. Why do not you ever work? You stupid computer!

2. Ring o bell!
3. O captain! My captain! Our fearful trip is done.
4. Don’t tell me now, dear eyes.
5. Oh, bed! At last; I can be with you!
Literary Devices – Apostrophe as a Figure of Speech Examples
Jane Taylor uses apostrophe in famous poem, “The Star”

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

This poem is the most famous and popular nursery rhymes in which a child
speaks to a star (which is an inanimate object). Hence, this is a classic example of
apostrophe.

Some more apostrophe examples

 I am -> I’m
 I’m a girl.
 You are -> You’re
 You’re going to school.
 Do not -> Don’t
 I don’t like cold drinks.
 It is -> It’s
 It’s raining now.
 He would -> He’d
 He’d like to go to hill station.
 Let us -> Let’s
 Let’s start saving more money each month.