What is a writer's figurative language?

Question

I'm supposed to look for a passage containing a writer using figurative language. What is figurative language?

Answer 1

Figurative language is the use of similes, metaphors and descriptive text.

For example: "They cursed him and then they pounded on the tabletops, much like prisoners unhappy with their food."

Naked by David Sedaris

This sentence immediately brings an image into your brain and helps to give a visual representation of the setting.

Looking for sentences with the word 'like' is an easy way to spot figurative language as the author is probably going to do a comparitve.

Answer 2

It allows much more creativity and can invoke different feelings than straight talk can. It can also create very powerful feelings because it helps create pictures that your mind can relate with more than just a couple words. - He wouldn't let it go. - He was like a dog with a bone. They both have the same basic meaning, but the second creates a great visual that people can relate to. If you know anything about dogs, when they have a bone that they like, and your try to take it away, they won't let go. They thrash their head back and forth, pull back and growl. They won't give it up. Can you see how one sentence can create a mini scene? Now which one are you going to remember, going to relate to best? That's why they do it.

Answer 3

Figurative language or speech contains images. The writer or speaker describes something through the use of unusual comparisons, for effect, interest, and to make things clearer. The result of using this technique is the creation of interesting images.