Figurative Language Worksheets
What Are All The Forms Of Figurative Language?
Have you heard phrases like the howling sky, dancing trees, or sleeping water while reading a novel and asked if the author was drunk while writing the book? Well, my friend, let me break it to you; this is a creative method of writing that conveys deeper meanings using non-literal sentences.
You will come across figurative language mostly in novels or creative writing pieces. Authors use it to add an edge or creativity to their writing. Let’s discuss what are all the forms of figurative language to help you grasp the concept behind them.
What Is Figurative Language?
Before discussing the forms of figurative language, let’s define this concept. Figurative language is a way of using words that focuses on expressing a complex or deeper meaning through non-literal sentences. Through figurative language, we can mention an idea in a regular sentence without clearly stating it.
For example, ‘I was drowning in a puddle of grief’ this sentence is a metaphor, indirectly stating how someone feels ample grief without clearly saying it.
There are multiple forms of figurative language; here are the eight most commonly used ones:
Simile
Similar refers to a comparison of two different things with the use of ‘as or like.’ For example, her hair was as black as coals, or the dress fit like a glove.
Alliteration
Alliteration is used to enhance the expressiveness of a text using words starting with similar sounds. Alliteration occurs when you notice two or more words beginning with the same consonant. For Example: Go grab the crab for me.
The words go, grab and crab start with similar sounds, which adds to the expressiveness and uniqueness of the sentence.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole refers to the exaggeration in a speech that helps the writer add more stress to an idea or concept. For example, ‘it was excruciatingly painful’ instead of it was painful.
Metaphor
Opposite to a simile, a Metaphor refers to a figure of speech where we compare two different things without using ‘as or like’; for example, he had a heart of stone.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia refers to words that make similar sounds to the noise they make, for example, clap, chomp, boo, or drip.
Oxymoron
Oxymoron refers to contradicting statements or words, for example, bittersweet, deafening silence, or silent scream.
Personification
Personification refers to personifying or giving human attributes to a non-living object; for example, he looked up at the gloomy sky or the wind was roaring.
Idiom
A sentence or expression has an entirely different meaning than the words suggest. For example, a piece of cake or spill the beans.
If you have to write a story for your English class or you want to enhance your writing in general, by understanding these eight figures of speech, you can start using them in your writing. Using figurative language will help keep the readers engaged in your stories and add a form of uniqueness to your writing.