Clarity is vital in any piece of writing, but that doesn’t imply it has to sacrifice creativity. Using figurative language can help you avoid writing dry, predictable prose and instead give your work more flavor.  Building believable worlds and characters, and breaking down complex ideas into manageable chunks are all possible with its help. You should, of course, fully understand the proper usage of figurative language examples in writing before employing it, as is the case with any literary device.  To that end, it’s helpful to have a rudimentary understanding of the many forms of metaphor and how to incorporate them into your writing. Read on for a rundown of the essentials, including some types of figurative language in your writing.

What Exactly Is Figurative Language?

When words are employed in a non-literal fashion to convey ideas or to embellish speech or writing, it is referred to as figurative language or a figure of speech.  Most of us use figurative language frequently in everyday speech to convey meaning, such as when we tell a friend to “break a leg” before an important presentation or when we complain that we’re “under the weather” as a cold begins to set in.

Figures of speech don’t necessarily transfer from one place to another as they are frequently deeply ingrained in particular languages.  In order to express a complex meaning, vivid writing, clarity, or emotive contrast, figurative language makes use of words in a way that departs from the conventional order and meaning.  Is the feeling of “butterflies in their stomach” a common way people describe being anxious?  They are describing an uncomfortable physical sensation that sounds like butterflies fluttering about inside their stomach, but in reality, there aren’t any butterflies at all.

Fiction writers captivate readers using figurative language, which allows them to think creatively and, at times, laugh out loud.  It adds drama and intrigue to fictional writing, as opposed to factual language that refers to facts. For the sake of impact, whether it is to seem creative, make a joke, or communicate more clearly and engagingly, figurative language expands the true meaning of words.  When trying to make an emotional connection with the reader, narrative writers frequently use figurative language.

The Use of Figurative Language and Its Advantages in Writing

Using metaphors and similes in writing has many uses.  When used correctly, these expressions can facilitate the attainment of goals such as:

• More precise articulation of concepts
• Less superficial comparisons
• Enhanced realism in speech
• Simpler versions of complex international ideas
• Images that are more creative and dynamic
• Word rhythm and flow were improved.

 You can achieve diverse effects in your writing by using various types of figurative language, just as you can with literal language.  To better understand how different figures of speech could be expressed in writing, it can be helpful to reflect on how you normally use them in conversation.  Confidence in your use of figurative language will increase as your knowledge of its function grows.

The difference between literal and figurative speech

• Literal language—phrasing—uses words as they are without creativity or excess.  For instance, a successful athlete may be “on fire” figuratively.  They would literally burn if their garments caught fire.
• Literal language is useful in professional, academic, and legal writing.  However, literal writing can be boring in other instances.
• However, figurative speech can make writing and speeches more interesting and humorous.  Active participation requires the reader or listener to think about the words more, like cracking a puzzle.
• Unlike literal language, figurative language uses literary devices.  Literary devices make writing more engaging, understandable, and emotive, therefore figurative language goes with them.

How to Make Use of Figurative Language

Words must be chosen with care if they are to convey meaning, whether in a narrative, speech, or personal essay; this is especially true when employing poetic metaphorical language or figures of speech.  To do this, you need to know how to employ figurative language effectively and adhere to a few basic guidelines to make sure your literary devices provide substance to your writing.

Some guidelines that you should have in mind are these.

Subtlety Is Key

Avoiding overuse of metaphor is key to its effective use.  Use figurative language sparingly so that it has greater effect when readers encounter it, even if you’re mixing it up with different sorts.

Keep Your Goals in Mind

Avoid making figurative language use a show.  Figurative language should only be used when it directly improves your content, such when you want to paint a more vivid picture or give readers a deeper insight into a character’s character or what drives them.

Make light of it

Add some levity to your writing by making use of cliches, oxymorons, parallels, turns of phrase, or even just a few well-placed clichés. 

The 6 Different types of figurative language

Looking at different types of figurative language and their purposes is far more useful when attempting to create figurative language, rather than relying on a general definition.  You can find examples of each of the six categories of figurative language here.

Metaphor

To illustrate the similarities between two objects, a metaphor uses a direct comparison.  You can make a stronger impression on readers and bolster the picture you’re going for by drawing parallels.  Another use for this technique is to help your audience better understand abstract ideas by drawing parallels between them and something they already know.

“Time is money” is a common metaphor.  This is not a literal translation of the statement; rather, it is a comparison of time and money.  The opposite is true: time is money, and one should make the most of it.  One misses out on potential earnings for every second that passes without productive use of time.

A Simile

Everyday language frequently employs similes, which are figures of speech that compare two unlike things using the terms “like” or “as”.  One purpose of using a simile is to get the reader to make a mental link.

Seated in the chair like a monarch surveying his domain is an example of a simile.  The royal cat is reclining on its particular chair, which is off-limits to everyone else in the kingdom, much like a king.

Idiom

Idioms are expressions that are specific to a certain language, culture, or geographical area.  If you aren’t familiar with the term or a native speaker, you could not understand what is being said because the literal and figurative meanings of these expressions are different.

Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which the entire is represented by one part, or vice versa.  A pair of wheels can mean a car and a suit can mean a businessman, for instance.  Just because you hear a car referred to as “wheels” doesn’t mean that’s all it is.  Just like a regular guy, a businessman usually accessorizes with a suit, watch, and briefcase.

Metonymy

The use of metonymy occurs when one makes a clear reference to an idea by referring to it as one of the characteristics that it possesses.  This is yet another example of a comparison-based figure of speech; however, rather than creating a direct connection, you are only allowing one word or phrase to stand in for another as a synonym.

Hyperbole

When you intentionally exaggerate something so that it has a deeper significance, you are using hyperbole.  As ridiculous as the statement is, it is precisely because of its ridiculousness that your point is more effectively driven home.

Statements like “I would die for you” are hyperbolic.  It used to be a way to emphasize how much love one person had for another, but now it just means that one person is literally ready to die for the other.  The only purpose of death is to demonstrate the depth of love.

Some figurative language examples and Their Applications

Reading widely is known to be a great strategy to hone one’s writing skills.  Mastering the use of metaphors and similes is no different.  If you want to know how to identify figurative language in poetry and literature, there are a few telltale signs:

• Opposite or complementary comparisons
• “Like” or “as” assertions
• Regular expressions
• Extremely exaggerated

Figurative language is all around you once you learn to recognize it.  The next time you read, make it a point to look for examples of figure of speech. You may use the descriptions of the different types and the context to figure out when and why an author has used a certain figure of speech.

Final Thoughts

On one hand, figurative language examples can help clarify a difficult concept, but on the other, it can make things more confusing.  Make sure you don’t muddy the waters by adding too much metaphor to a sentence. Keep in mind that using too much metaphor or simile could throw off the reader’s flow and comprehension.  Avoid using figurative language unless absolutely necessary; clarity and eloquence go hand in hand.