Figurative Language Here are more figures of speech that you can add to the ones already discussed in previous lessons that you can use in creative nonfiction: fIGURATIVE lANGUAGE • Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. It uses an ordinary sentence to refer to something without directly stating it. Anaphora Anaphora – the use of a word/ phrases/ sequence of words repeatedly in nearby clauses or sentences to add emphasis; almost always parallel-structured Example: Our nation is at war… Our economy badly weakened … Our healthcare is too costly… Antithesis Antithesis – a contradiction that pits two ideas against each other in a parallel, balanced way Example: The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance, the struggles and successes, the love and yes, the bitterness and bias.” Euphemism Euphemism – substitute words/ phrases to soften/ subdue meaning or sound Example: pass away instead of die escort – call girl/boy Hyperbole Hyperbole – exaggerated statements or claims that should not be taken literally Example: “The deal I just made with China is, by far, the greatest and biggest deal ever made for our Great Patriot Farmers in the history of our Country," Trump tweeted the day after. "In fact, there is a question as to whether or not this much product can be produced? Our farmers will figure it out,” President Trump announced recently. Parallelism Parallelism- parts of lines, verses or sentences or paragraphs are grammatically the same or are similarly structured Example: We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only" We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote Personification Personification – assigning human traits to animals or objects Example: Time grabs you by the wrist and directs you where to go. • E.g. As I climbed the stairs, the staircase groaned as if awoken from a long sleep. • E.g. Seaweed snatched at his legs as he tried to swim away. • E.g. The sun peaked out from behind the cloud. Write down each example then circle the object, animal or idea and underline the human characteristic. 1. The wind whispered a song to the trees. 2. As she lay in the shallows, the waves softly caressed her. 3. The traffic noises argued long into the night until finally the boy fell to sleep. Analysis Pun Pun – word play using different meaning of homophones; word with multiple meanings or similar-sounding words for humorous, witty or rhetorical effect Example: A pessimist's blood type is always Bnegative The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester (gesture) Symbolism Symbolism – an object that signifies deeper meaning than its literal meaning Example: ring – marriage flag – country’s sovereignty/ freedom Understatement Understatement – A situation wherein what is discussed or referred to on hand is made less important than it really is Example: “I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. ... “I think so,” said Professor McGonagall dryly, “we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.” – Professor McGonagall in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Idiom A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. • • • • E.g. I was over the moon. E.g. Put in some elbow grease. E.g. She was sitting on the fence. E.g. I have my finger on the pulse. Read each of the following examples, and explain what the idiom means. 1. It's raining cats and dogs. 2. I think you're pulling my leg. 3. We need to get this show on the road. 4. That assignment was a piece of cake. 5. You wouldn't want to jump the gun. 6. It only happens once in a blue moon. Analysis 7. The ball is in your court. Activity A. Write the symbolism for each. 1. red _________________ 2. white _________________ 3. black _________________ 4. cross _________________ 5. snake _________________ Activity B. Put a checkmark (/) on the blank if the statement expresses an irony. ____ 1. “I just love your timing! I was just going to bed.” ____ 2. They both left. ____ 3. He promised never to leave me. He left me for some girl he just met. ____ 4. “I cannot thank you enough for ruining my life.” ____ 5. I pray I’ll get well soon.
