Figurative Language: Metaphors

Alright...time for a little walk down figurative language lane.

Figurative language, in case you need a refresher, is where you use figures of speech to be more descriptive, memorable, and impactful. It's the opposite of literal language, which is exactly what it sounds like--language that is literal.  Example:

Literal:  The big red ball flew through the air

Figurative: The ball soared through the air like the planet mars

Which one is more interesting to read?

Figurative language adds spice and interest to your writing.  Most teachers push for figurative language in narrative writing, but it works well in any genre.  Essays especially need that little touch of flavor to liven them up.

Today, I'll be focusing on a specific kind of figurative language:  Metaphors

Metaphors are comparisons.  They compare one thing to another--like so:

• Baby you're a firework  (comparing "baby and "firework")

Here's another example:

• Life is a highway (comparing "life" and "highway")

Here's an example from good ol' Billy Shakes (Shakespeare):

• Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate (comparing "you" and "summer's day")

A specific kind of metaphor is a simile.  A simile is a comparison using "like" or "as."  Take a look at these examples:

• The floor was as hot as lava (comparing "floor" and "lava")

• Her smile was bright like the sun (comparing "smile" and "sun")

• The gum was stuck like glue (comparing "gum" and "glue")

Similes and metaphors can spice up your writing, creating vivid and creative descriptions to enhance your text.  Some applications in a essay-like format might look like these:

• Hours of video games can leave the brain feeling like mush.  
• Politics is a battleground with no real victors. 
• Education today is like a sieve, with too much falling through the holes. 

Try out some metaphors in your next piece of writing.  You'll find that it's a nice way to improve the flavor and tone of your piece.