Oxymoron: An oxymoron pairs contradictory words in order to express new or complex meanings.An example of a simile would be to say "they fought like cats and dogs." However, instead of stating that one thing is another thing (as in metaphor), a simile states that one thing is like another thing. Simile: A simile, like a metaphor, makes a comparison between two unrelated things.For example, the phrase "her lips are a blooming rose" obviously doesn't literally mean what it says-it's a metaphor that makes a comparison between the red beauty and promise of a blooming rose with that of the lips of the woman being described. Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing, even though this isn't literally true.There are many, many types of figures of speech that can be involved in figurative language. What does all that boil down to for you? If you hear someone talking about figurative language, you can usually safely assume they are referring to language that uses figures of speech to play with the meaning of words and, perhaps, with the way that language sounds or feels. Another common real world use of figurative language: Some people define figurative language as including figures of speech that play with meaning as well as a few other common schemes that affect the rhythm and sound of text, such as alliteration and assonance.This definition sees figurative language as language that primarily involves the use of tropes. Much more common real world use of figurative language: However, when people (including teachers) refer to figurative language, they usually mean language that plays with the literal meaning of words.This definition would mean that figurative language includes the use of both tropes and schemes. Dictionary definition of figurative language: According to the dictionary, figurative language is simply any language that contains or uses figures of speech.Here are the three different ways people usually talk about figurative language: When people say figurative language, they don't always mean the precise same thing. The Different Things People Mean When They Say Figurative Language Put even more simply: tropes play with the meaning of words, while schemes play with the structure of words, phrases, and sentences. Schemes are figures of speech that involve a change from the typical mechanics of a sentence, such as the order, pattern, or arrangement of words.Tropes are figures of speech that play with and shift the expected and literal meaning of words.More specifically, it's helpful to understand the two main types of figures of speech: tropes and schemes. To fully understand figurative language, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of figures of speech.
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Here's how to pronounce figurative language: fig-yer-uh-tiv lang-gwij Figures of Speech and Figurative Language In fact, writers can use figurative language as one tool to help create imagery, but imagery does not have to use figurative language. It's a common misconception that imagery, or vivid descriptive language, is a kind of figurative language.If figurative speech is like a dance routine, figures of speech are like the various moves that make up the routine. Figurative language refers to language that contains figures of speech, while figures of speech are the particular techniques.Figurative language is common in all sorts of writing, as well as in spoken language.Some additional key details about figurative language: This view of figurative language focuses on the use of figures of speech that play with the meaning of words, such as metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. In this narrower definition, figurative language refers to language that uses words in ways that deviate from their literal interpretation to achieve a more complex or powerful effect. When people use the term "figurative language," however, they often do so in a slightly narrower way. What is figurative language? Here’s a quick and simple definition:įigurative language is language that contains or uses figures of speech.