Types Of Figurative Language
There are very many types of figurative language which have gained popularity with the advancement in literature work. This is mainly to help the reader to visualize all that he or she is reading and bring the content to his or her normal world. They have made understanding of literary work even easier apart from adding more fun to it. But what is a figurative language?
In simple terms, a figurative language is a language which uses images to make certain points clearer and interesting. This kind of language gives more insight to literature work.
Most types of figurative language uses comparison to make some points clear. Although at times this comparison can be taken directly, it also involves some interpretation which requires one to know what exactly is being compared, their properties and the reason as to why they are being compared. These should always be at the fingertips while dealing with any type of figurative language. Some of the most common figures of speech include:
Imagery; while using this kind of figure of speech, much attention is given to the sense rather than the physical human body. The description given at this point is usually in terms of senses.
Simile; this figure of speech compares to things using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. For example: as black as a charcoal is an example of a simile. They tend to bring the literary work to the real world where the reader actually compares the description given about something to what he or she can see in the real world. They help in the understanding of and literature work.
Other types of figurative language is metaphor. Although this figure of speech also uses some elements of comparison, it is very much different from simile in that it uses the form to be. For instance in the sentence:
My father is a lion.
This s one example of a metaphor. Note that we are not saying that the father is like a lion, he is a lion. Therefore, for one to be in a position to interpret or judge the father then he or she must know all the qualities of lion
Alliteration; this a very common figurative language mostly used in poetry. When various consonants at the beginning of a sentence have been repeated then we say that alliteration has been achieved. Example Pretty Pam poked Paul yesterday.
The main objective of alliteration is always to create some sort of a melody especially when one is reciting a poem.
Hyperbole; it is a statement which has been exaggerated mainly to heighten the effects of a given scenario. For example: He confessed to love her a million time this evening. Of course the possibility of such a confessions doesn’t look more practical, however it only stresses how he did confess.
Personification; these are situations where by animals are given qualities of human being. It is one of the popularly used literary skill to denounce some behaviors which are not acceptable. One book which has extensively used this figure of speech is the Animal Farm where animals become leaders and do all that the normal human being can do.
These are just a few types of figurative language, they lit is very long.
