Literal vs.

Figurative Language

Literal is different from figurative language. Literal Language means exactly what it says,
while Figurative Language uses figures of speech to describe something beyond its literal
meaning or understanding.

ANALOGY SIMILE METAPHOR

- a literary technique which
involves the comparison of
how two things are alike; the
main function of analogy is
not just to show but also to
explain and justify.
- a figure of speech
comparing two unlike things
that is often introduced by
like or as.
- a figure of speech that is
used to make an indirect
comparison between two
things that aren’t alike but do
have something in common.

Example: Example: Example:

Life is just like a tree – it Life is like a tree. Life is a tree.

starts from a seedling that
grows into a full-grown tree
that has trunk and branches
that make itself strong and
bears wonderful fruits.

Exercise 1. Identify whether the following statements are analogy, simile or metaphor.
__________1. Your skin is as white as snow.
__________2. Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get.
__________3. Franklin has a heart of gold.
__________4. Life is a wonderful journey.
__________5. He is as thin as a stick.