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: Just over 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about some dazzling similes and metaphors from Kevin Brockmeier… I have a not-so-secret affection for memoir. It’s my favourite genre and I usually manage to read about a dozen each year. A memoir by Kevin Brockmeier, however, is […]
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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 handful of similes and metaphors from Alexandra Fuller… I used to belong to a book club and one of the first works we devoured was the 2003 memoir Don’t Let’s Go to the
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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 Katherine Ashenburg… California has enacted water restrictions for the first time in state history. For some cities — such as Sacramento — this will mean cutting water usage by up to 35 percent.
The figurative language of Katherine Ashenburg… 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 Sebastian Faulks… In his interesting (albeit uneven) collection of stories and novellas, titled A Possible Life, Sebastian Faulks offers some particularly delicious figurative language. I use the word “delicious” deliberately
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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 Hannah Kent…. The fine book Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (pictured above) is being turned into a movie starring Jennifer Lawrence. I hope this will bring the Icelandic historical novel the
The figurative language of Hannah Kent… 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 Joseph Kertes. I remember many departures in my life. My two best friends leaving for Europe after high school graduation, while I was off to university. A boyfriend leaving me.
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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 Gloria Steinem. In honour of International Women’s Day, May 8, my favourite radio station (CBC-AM) aired an interview with Gloria Steinem. If you have the time, be sure to listen to
Gloria Steinem describes sweaters on her teeth… 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 Cristina Henriquez… I read The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (pictured above) several months ago and both the novel and its characters have remained with me, in my mind’s eye,
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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 Janet Malcolm… As a person with four siblings — three sisters and a brother — l love hearing or reading family stories. They remind me of home. Perhaps that’s why
The figurative language of Janet Malcolm… 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 featuring US senator Bernie Sanders. I’m no expert on American politics but I read the New Yorker weekly and the New York Times (online) daily. As a result, I pick
As if he were conducting electricity… Read More »
