Figurative language and literary devices

Literal vs. figurative

When language is literal, it means exactly what it says. It is raining heavily.

When language is figurative, it means something beyond the exact words. It’s raining cats and dogs. (No animals are falling!)

Figurative language helps writers create vivid pictures, express feelings and make writing memorable. Authors and poets use it all the time, and so do people in everyday speech.

Simile

A simile compares two unlike things using like or as.

• Her smile was as bright as the sun.
• The baby slept like a log.
• He ran like the wind.

What it does: helps the reader picture something by connecting it to something familiar.

To interpret: ask, “What do these two things have in common?” A smile and the sun are both bright and warm.

Metaphor

A metaphor compares two unlike things by saying one is the other, without like or as.

• The classroom was a zoo. (It was noisy and wild.)
• Time is money. (Time is valuable.)
• Her heart is gold. (She is kind and generous.)

A metaphor is often stronger than a simile because it says one thing is the other.

Personification

Personification gives human qualities or actions to animals, objects or ideas.

• The wind whispered through the trees.
• The old car groaned up the hill.
• The sun smiled down on us.

What it does: brings scenes to life and creates mood.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally.

• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
• This backpack weighs a ton.
• I’ve told you a million times!

What it does: adds humour or emphasis.

Idioms

An idiom is a common phrase whose meaning cannot be figured out from the individual words.

Idioms are learned through reading and listening. They can be confusing for people learning English, so context is important.

Onomatopoeia and alliteration

These are sound devices often grouped with figurative language.

• Onomatopoeia: words that imitate sounds. buzz, hiss, crash, sizzle, boom, meow
• Alliteration: repeating the same beginning sound in nearby words. Silly snakes slither silently.

How to interpret figurative language

1. Notice when a phrase does not make literal sense.
2. Identify the type: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom.
3. Ask what is being compared or exaggerated.
4. Think about the shared quality.
5. Explain the meaning in plain words.
6. Consider the effect. Why did the author choose this? What feeling does it create?

Worked examples

Example 1: The snow was a white blanket covering the town.
Type: metaphor. Comparison: snow and blanket. Shared quality: both cover things completely and evenly. Effect: creates a calm, cozy image.

Example 2: The thunder roared angrily.
Type: personification. Effect: makes the storm seem powerful and frightening.

Example 3: My little brother is as stubborn as a mule.
Type: simile. Meaning: very stubborn.

Example 4: I’ve been waiting forever!
Type: hyperbole. Meaning: I’ve been waiting a long time.

Example 5: Don’t worry, the test will be a piece of cake.
Type: idiom. Meaning: the test will be easy.

Using figurative language in your writing

• Use a simile to help readers picture something: The puppy’s fur was as soft as a cloud.
• Use personification to set a mood: The old house sighed in the wind.
• Use hyperbole for humour in a story or friendly letter.
• Avoid clichés, overused phrases like as busy as a bee. Try fresh comparisons: as busy as a squirrel in October.
• Do not overdo it. One strong image is better than five weak ones.

Common mistakes

• Confusing similes and metaphors. Look for like or as.
• Taking idioms literally. Use context to figure out the meaning.
• Mixing up personification and metaphor. Personification gives human qualities.
• Naming the device but not explaining it. Always explain the meaning and effect.

Try it yourself

Identify the type and explain the meaning.

1. The leaves danced in the breeze.
2. Dad’s snoring was louder than a freight train.
3. Grandpa is a walking encyclopedia.
4. It’s raining cats and dogs.
5. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.

Answers: 1. Personification; the leaves moved gracefully. 2. Hyperbole (and a comparison); the snoring was extremely loud. 3. Metaphor; Grandpa knows a lot. 4. Idiom; it is raining very hard. 5. Simile; her eyes were bright and shining.

Study tip

Keep a “figurative language log” while reading. Write examples you find, label the type, and explain the meaning. Then write one original example of your own for each type.

Quick recap

• Literal language means exactly what it says; figurative language goes beyond the words.
• Similes use like or as; metaphors say one thing is another.
• Personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
• Hyperbole exaggerates; idioms have meanings different from their words.
• Always explain the meaning and the effect.