I know I risk sounding like an English teacher when I use the words “figurative language.” The phrase may sound frightening but figurative language will make your writing more interesting evocative and memorable. And who doesn’t want that –even in non-fiction? Here are some examples of figurative language:
• allusion
• hyperbole
• metaphor
• oxymoron
• personification
• paradox
• simile
I read widely and follow many forms of media, keeping my eyes and ears attuned to figurative language so I can share a piece of it with you each week.
Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of similes from Dwight Garner…. Dwight Garner is one of my favourite book reviewers in the New York Times. I especially enjoyed his recent take-down […]
The figurative language of Dwight Garner… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of metaphors and similes from Jonathan Franzen…. I’ve never been a huge fan of Jonathan Franzen. I found his 2001 novel — a satirical
The figurative language of Jonathan Franzen… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about the figurative language (and other writing skills) of novelist Julian Barnes… As a longtime fan of the superb British writer Julian Barnes, I was thrilled to
The figurative language of Julian Barnes… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of similes and metaphors from Edward St. Aubyn… I had never heard of Edward St. Aubyn until recently. News penetrated my dim consciousness when
The figurative language of Edward St. Aubyn… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of metaphors from Noah Hawley…. I don’t typically read murder mysteries but when my friend Carlos Chavez recommend such a title a few days
The figurative language of Noah Hawley… Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of similes and metaphors from Elizabeth Strout… I’ve admired the writing of Elizabeth Strout (pictured above) ever since I read her remarkable Pulitzer-Prize winning novel
The figurative language of Elizabeth Strout Read More »
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a series of metaphors from Wayne Johnston… Novelist Wayne Johnston (pictured above) was born and raised in the St. John’s area of Newfoundland but now lives
The figurative language of Wayne Johnston… Read More »
Reading time: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about some superb figurative language from John Vaillant…. Although I had worked in the forest industry — as a professional writer and editor — for a number
The figurative language of John Vaillant… Read More »
Reading time: About 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about figurative language from Richard Osman…. If you’ve ever encountered comedian Richard Osman in person or on television, you’ll know him as a tremendously tall, very funny man.
The figurative language of Richard Osman Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about similes and metaphors from Gish Jen…. Gish Jen (pictured above) is a second-generation Chinese American. She graduated from Harvard University with a BA in English, and later
The figurative language of Gish Jen… Read More »
