Tools to help you write a fantastic descriptive essay! Figurative Language Tools to help you write a fantastic descriptive essay!

What is figurative language? Figurative language compares two things that are different in enough ways so that their similarities, when pointed out, are interesting, unique and/or surprising.

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses. Example: The sun glistened on the lake as if the water was made of millions of golden fairies taking flight.

Simile A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words “like” or “as” Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison does not use “like” or “as” Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Alliteration Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: Wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

Personification A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or idea. The author uses this to show something in an entirely new light and control how the reader perceives it. Example: A brave handsome tree fell with a creaking rending cry.

Onomatopoeia The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. Example: Crackle! Pop! Moo! Squeak!

Hyperbole An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions.

Synecdoche A figure of speech which mentions a part of something to suggest the whole. Example: “All hands on deck” does not simply mean the body parts on deck, it means all sailors on deck.

Paradox A statement of situation containing apparently contradictory or imcompatible elements, but on closer inspection may be true. Example: “Men work together whether they work together or apart.” from “The Tuft of Flowers”

Irony Verbal irony: when an expression used is the opposite of the through in the speaker’s mind Dramatic Irony: having a character utter words which the reader understands to have a different meaning, but the character himself is not aware of it.