Figurative Language - Definitions and Literary Devices

Sep 29, 2026

A study guide defining figurative and literal language, with clear distinctions between objective surface meaning and symbolic, metaphorical expression. Covers core comparisons such as simile and metaphor, plus personification and allusion. Explains irony in multiple forms (verbal, situational, dramatic, cosmic) and how symbols work across authorial, textual, personal, conventional, universal, and cultural types. Further outlines hyperbole, meiosis/understatement, paradox, metonymy, synecdoche, apostrophe, and related tools for diction, ambiguity, imagery, tone, and speaker.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Figurative Language

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Simile and Metaphor

Personification and Allusion

Irony Types

Symbols and Symbol Types

Hyperbole and Understatement

Paradox and Word-Substitution Devices

Apostrophe

Diction, Imagery, Tone, and Speaker

Figurative Language Figurative Language: language that is not meant to be taken literally-metaphorical language-the words symbolic meaning and metaphorical are synonymous. Literal Language: language that means exactly what it says-the objective meaning; the surface meaning; what is actually happening-a paraphrase takes only the literal meaning into account Simile: a comparison of two unlike things using a comparison word, such as like or as-usually focuses on a single characteristic of comparison Metaphor: a comparison of two unlike things without using a comparing word While a simile generally points out one point of a comparison, a metaphor is broader and more complex in scope; metaphors can generally be found in three forms: [noun] is (noun) (e.g. Juliet is the sun) [noun] of [noun] (e.g. blanket of fog) [adj.] [noun](e.g. icy smile, iron fist) Personification: a comparison in which human or animate qualities are given to objects, animals, or ideas Allusion: a short reference to a famous person, a place, a historical event, or another work of literature (e.g. Biblical, mythological, literary, historical.) Irony: the awareness (by an author, character, or reader) of a contrast between the way things seem or are expected to be and the way they really are Verbal Irony: the speaker means something different from what they say This irony is a result of using words ambiguously. Verbal irony is often a type of understatement where the words are expressed less emphatically than they could be. Situational Irony: a situation including various aspects of the setting that is the opposite of what you or a character expect it to be Dramatic Irony: occurs when the reader sees the situation clearly but the character does not and instead does or says things to indicate their ignorance Cosmic Irony/Irony of fate: when a protagonist’s expectations are unexpectedly destroyed by bad fortune or an uncaring god Symbol: a person, place, thing, or action that has literal meaning but it also stands for something else (i.e. it has metaphorical meaning) Usually the symbol is concrete (something you can perceive through the senses) . and the thing it stands for is abstract. Authorial Symbol: the author created the symbol Textual Symbol: a symbol that is specific just to this text Personal Symbol: a symbol that is particular or unique to the author Conventional/Traditional Symbol: a symbol that comes down through the years / is passed on Universal Symbol: symbols shared by all humanity (e.g. the sun as s source of life) Cultural Symbol: symbol shared by a particular cultural group (e.g. the cross as the Christian symbol for sacrifice) Hyperbole: a figure of speech involving great exaggeration generally for humorous or ironic effect Meiosis/Understatement: a statement that approaches a serious subject with little or no emotion Meiosis deliberately represents something as less than what it really is. This is the opposite of an exaggeration, a hyperbole; generally an understatement has the opposite effect on the reader. Paradox: a statement, often figurative, that seems to contradict itself but upon further investigation reveals an unexpected truth (conveys power and surprise) Metonymy: a figure of speech in which one term is substituted for another term with which it has become closely associated (e.g. White House = president, campus = the school, Devil = mischief) (Many people use metonymy to include synecdoche.) Synecdoche: figurative language in which the whole is used for the part or vice versa (e.g. All hands on deck = whole sailor not just their hands, the law = police officers) Apostrophe: a dramatic device in which the writer speaks to an object, an idea, a person who is unlikely to respond It creates the situation of a public speech, and the reader is drawn in as the audience; it’s often used in romantic poetry and in poems dealing with abstract qualities of life. Diction Dic

FAQs

What is the difference between literal and figurative language?

Literal language communicates exact meaning and surface interpretation. Figurative language uses metaphorical or symbolic wording that is not meant to be taken only literally.

How do simile and metaphor differ?

A simile compares two unlike things using words like "like" or "as" and usually focuses on one characteristic. A metaphor makes the comparison without a comparing word and is broader in scope.

What are the major types of irony mentioned?

The guide covers verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony, and cosmic irony (or irony of fate), each defined by how expectations contrast with reality or what different people know.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Alexandar