FIGURATIVE

LANGUAGE
Creative Writing: Lesson 3
 WHAT IS The term figurative language refers to any use
FIGURATIVE of language that goes beyond the literal
meaning of the words themselves.
LANGUAGE?
WHY DO WE The use of FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE is like “SPECIAL
USE
EFFECTS FOR AUTHORS.” It is
FIGURATIVE a powerful tool to create VIVID
LANGUAGE? IMAGERY through words.
 figurative language represents a
WHY DO WE sophisticated, creative use of
USE language to convey meaning and
FIGURATIVE mood, among other effects. It
LANGUAGE? represents an essential tool in
the writer’s toolbox.
 These creative applications of language help
WHY DO WE readers visualize the writer’s intended
USE meaning and establish atmosphere, rhythm,
and other stylistic effects. The use of these
FIGURATIVE literary devices creates an effective and
LANGUAGE? beautiful way to communicate through the
written and spoken word.
WHY DO WE Using figurative language helps speak to a
reader’s emotions, as well as to articulate
USE more abstract and complex concepts in a
FIGURATIVE relatable way. How a writer uses figurative
language in their work constitutes a large
LANGUAGE? element of their style.
 tropes
TYPES OF
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE and
schemes.
 A trope is a figure of
speech that uses
words or phrases in
a way in which the
I. TROPES
intended meaning
extends beyond the
literal meaning of
the words used.
 [Link]:

Definition: This figure of

speech uses exaggeration for
Tropes
emphasis or other specific
effects such as humour, for
example.
 [Link]:

Example:
Tropes
“ I could have died of
embarrassment”
IT IS YOUR
TURN!
Give me an
example of a
hyperbole.
 2. IDIOM:
An idiom is a figurative
use of language that
Trope cannot be understood
from a literal
understanding of the
words alone.
 Example:
1. Kick the bucket
Trope 2. Break a leg
3. Passed away
4. Spill the tea
 It is your Turn

Use the following idioms in a sentence.

1. Kick the bucket
2. Break a leg
3. Passed away
4. Spill the tea
 3. METAPHOR:
“A metaphor makes a
comparison between two
unrelated things by stating one
Trope thing is the other thing. This is
usually done by highlighting or
suggesting a shared quality or
characteristic between the two
distinct elements.”
 METAPHOR:
Example:
Trope
“Life is a
rollercoaster”
It’s your turn
Write your own Metaphor by comparing Box A and Box B

A B
Rose
Mother
Blooming flower
Baby
Honey
Smile
Pillar
Beauty
Sun
Dog
River
Father
Apple
God
justice
 4. SIMILE:

Definition: Similes make

comparisons between two
Trope seemingly unrelated elements
by using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to
highlight a common quality or
characteristic both things
share.
 4. SIMILE:

Example:
Trope 1. Her eyes shone like
diamonds.
2. He was as strong as a
horse.
It’s your turn
Write your own Simile by comparing Box A and Box B

A B
Rose
Mother
Blooming flower
Baby
Honey
Smile
Pillar
Beauty
Sun
Dog
River
Father
Apple
God
justice
 5. OXYMORON:
Definition: Oxymorons
combine two opposing
elements into a single
tropes phrase or sentence. They
can be used to create a
range of effects, comedic,
dramatic, or thought-
provoking.
 5. OXYMORON:
Example:
1. Parting is such sweet
tropes
sorrow.
2. It is a known secret
that Juan is my brother.
IT IS YOUR TURN
Give me an example of an
Oxymoron.
 6. PERSONIFICATION:
Definition: Personification is a
special type of metaphor where
human actions or feelings are
trope ascribed to a non-human thing.
When we talk about something
that isn’t human as if it was, then
we are personifying it – that is,
making it into a person.
 6. PERSONIFICATION:
Example:
1. An angry sky
trope 2. Books were her constant
companions.
3. The wind whispers in my
ear.
It is your turn
Give an example of a personification by giving human characteristics to the following:
1. Tree
2. Rock
3. River
4. Grass
5. Sea
6. Darkness
7. Moon
8. birds
 7. Apostrophe

Definition: “a rhetorical
trope figure in which the
speaker addresses a dead
or absent person, or an
abstraction or inanimate
object”
 7. Apostrophe
◦Example:
Example 1:
trope
◦“O Romeo, Romeo,
wherefore art thou
Romeo?”
 7. Apostrophe
◦Example:
Example 3:
trope ◦“O happy dagger!
This is thy sheath;
there rust, and let
me die.”
 7. Apostrophe

◦Example 4:
“Twinkle, twinkle
trope
little star
How I wonder what
you are”
 IT IS YOUR
TURN
Write at least one
Apostrophe and share it
to the class. Explain your
answer to the class.