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: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a metaphor — and a simile — from Guy Lawson. I read a New York Times Magazine piece about new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, some time […]
The figurative language of Guy Lawson… 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 Anthony Doerr. One of my favourite books of the last five years, the novel All The Light We Cannot See, by
The figurative language of Anthony Doerr.. 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 metaphor from a New York Times review of Benedict Cumberbatch playing Hamlet… I’m a big fan of the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. I find his acting to
Such whispery, self-effacing presences… 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 and similes from Susan Jane Gilman… The non-fiction memoir, Undress Me In the Temple of Heaven, by Susan Jane Gilman, was recommended to me
The figurative language of Susan Jane Gilman… 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 similes and metaphors from Gillian Flynn… I don’t typically read mysteries or thrillers (call my habit a character flaw if you like) but I
The figurative language of Gillian Flynn…. 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 metaphor relating to a new book about the writer Joan Didion… I’m a huge fan of the writer Joan Didion. Two of her books — The
The figurative language of Joan Didion… 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 metaphor from Ruth Pennebaker. Both my grandmothers and two of my aunts had breast cancer. I’ve stopped my endless to fretting about my risk, but I still
The figurative language of Ruth Pennebaker… 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 simile from Helen Humphreys… I’m not typically a fan of “war” books but for some reason I’ve read two of them in the last few months and,
The figurative language of Helen Humphreys… 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 Rachel Cusk. I wasn’t terribly impressed by the plot of the novel Saving Agnes by Rachel Cusk. The story of a young naive young
The figurative language of Rachel Cusk… 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 some metaphors and similes from Kimberly Cutter. As a child I became obsessed with the Tudor family and with Joan of Arc. I’m not sure to what I should attribute this interest
The figurative language of Kimberly Cutter… Read More »
