Back to Basics: Figurative Language

Upon returning to homeschooling Nichole and Brooke in English and science, I've decided to broaden my scope for this series. Instead of simply sticking to grammatical rules, I will include simple primers on literary devices as well.

The elementary versions of these lessons will stick to explaining what the devices are and how to recognize and interpret them. The high school level classes published here on the blog will cover this as well while also speaking about utilizing them in your writing.

What does figurative language and literary devices mean?
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Figurative language is the use of a word or phrase outside its literal meaning. Slang that takes a common word and gives it a new meaning is a basic and common form of figurative language. Similes and metaphors are other common types of figurative language that use comparison to paint a picture.

A literary device is a tool an author uses to create a specific effect in their writing. All of the forms of figurative language are literary devices, as are other techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, or juxtaposition among others.

Why should we care about this stuff?
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Knowing what the different types of figurative language and literary devices are and how they are used can help you better understand what you are reading. This is especially true if the use of figurative language is not natural for you, and I've found it can also help in day-to-day situations for those of us with a difficult time distinguishing different tones in speech.

Whether they realize it or not, people are influenced by the stories they have read or heard. This includes the use of figurative language and literary devices to add color and personality to their speech. Understanding how authors use these devices in their works can help you understand how they are used elsewhere.

If you have interest in writing stories of your own, or doing any sort of creative work, understanding these tools and how to use them will improve your creations. Application requires understanding. If you do not understand the purpose and application of foreshadowing, how well do you think you will be able to use it in a story?

There are far too many literary devices and types of figurative language to cover in one article. Therefore, I will be covering them in a series of articles moving forward.

If you have any questions or suggestions for other things you would like to see covered in this series, please comment below. And join me back here in two weeks for the next lesson on similes and metaphors.