Figurative language is words taken past their literal meanings in an imaginative way. The literal meaning of a word is its dictionary definition while the figurative meaning of a word can be another meaning.
Types of figurative language:
Metaphor:
This is a way to compare two unlike things without using the words like or as.
Example- John is a walking dictionary.
In this case, you are comparing a human to a dictionary without using the words like or as.
Simile:
A simile is the complete opposite of a metaphor. It does use the words like or as to compare two unlike things.
Example- My brother looks as tall as a skyscraper!
You are comparing someone to a skyscraper by using the word as.
Personification:
This is giving human like characteristics to something that is not human.
Example- The thunder angrily clapped in the distance.
The human ability to clap is being given to the thunder.
Hyperbole:
A hyperbole is over exaggerating something.
Example- The cheetah sprinted faster than a bugatti!
The cheetah's speed is being over exaggerated and compared to a bugatti.
Idiom:
This is a well known saying thats literal definition is different from its meaning.
Example- Its raining cats and dogs!
Literally, it would never rain cats and dogs. The true meaning behind this saying is that it is raining heavily.
You can also use context clues to help you figure out the meaning of an idiom
Onomatopoeia:
These are sound words.
Examples- BANG! And just like that, she slammed the door in my face.
The use of the word bam is used to create to sound of slamming the door. You can also use context clues to help you figure out the me
This is a way to compare two unlike things without using the words like or as.
Example- John is a walking dictionary.
In this case, you are comparing a human to a dictionary without using the words like or as.
Simile:
A simile is the complete opposite of a metaphor. It does use the words like or as to compare two unlike things.
Example- My brother looks as tall as a skyscraper!
You are comparing someone to a skyscraper by using the word as.
Personification:
This is giving human like characteristics to something that is not human.
Example- The thunder angrily clapped in the distance.
The human ability to clap is being given to the thunder.
Hyperbole:
A hyperbole is over exaggerating something.
Example- The cheetah sprinted faster than a bugatti!
The cheetah's speed is being over exaggerated and compared to a bugatti.
Idiom:
This is a well known saying thats literal definition is different from its meaning.
Example- Its raining cats and dogs!
Literally, it would never rain cats and dogs. The true meaning behind this saying is that it is raining heavily.
You can also use context clues to help you figure out the meaning of an idiom
Onomatopoeia:
These are sound words.
Examples- BANG! And just like that, she slammed the door in my face.
The use of the word bam is used to create to sound of slamming the door. You can also use context clues to help you figure out the me
Now, let us see figurative language in Firework by Katy Perry.
Metaphor- Compares you to bag
Metaphor- Compares you to being paper thin Personification- Says the 4th of July owns the night Metaphor- Compares you to a firework Onomatopoeia- Ah, ah, ah Hyperbole- Exaggeration that you shoot across the sky Metaphor- Compares you to wasted space Personification- Door leads you to perfect road Onomatopoeia- boom, boom, boom |
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in? Do you ever feel already buried deep six feet under? Screams but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you? You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause, baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe You don't have to feel like a wasted space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow And when it's time you'll know You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause, baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you, you, you And now it's time to let it through-ough-ough 'Cause, baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon |
"i used figurative language in my various fiction writing tasks."