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Figurative Language, Part 2

Figurative language uses words to create special effects. However, writers who want readers to understand them, will surround figurative language with words that can be understood literally, or words that mean what they actually say.

For example, if Clarence writes, "The Rotary Ringtones are radical. They're really awesome!" not all readers will understand that Clarence is talking about a rock group he thinks are great musicians. This means, you must:

a.  avoid figurative language.

b.  know your audience.

Don't avoid all figurative language, just know your audience! Decide what language will communicate best with your readers. Below, you'll work with some of the many purposes for figurative language.

Authors combine the use of figurative and literal language to reveal character.

In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain creates many a famous scene. In one, Tom, who in reality hates to paint, tricks other kids into doing his work. Tom pretends there is nothing that is as much fun as whitewashing a fence. Read this excerpt:

"... the retired artist sat on a barrel in the shade close by, dangled his legs, munched his apple, and planned the slaughter of more innocents. There was no lack of material; boys happened along every little while; they came to jeer, but remained to whitewash."

1.  What is the literal meaning of the phrase, "the retired artist"?

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2.  What is the figurative meaning?

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3.  The name "artist" for Tom Sawyer works on a literal level. It works because Tom has been à (Delete all except one.)

whitewashing
using a paint brush
munching an apple

4.  "Retired artist" works on a literal level. It works because Tom is - (Delete all except one.)

resting
"through" with whitewashing
dangling his legs

5.  On a figurative level, what does "retired artist" suggest? (Delete all except one.)

Tom is out of work
Tom is a con-artist
Tom is a "working-con" artist


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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The passage by Mark Twain illustrates another device of figurative language called "hyperbole." Hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement for effect. Hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally.

Write a short paragraph to explain in your own words the hyperbole in this excerpt.

"...the retired artist sat... and planned the slaughter of more innocents..."

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Hyperbole can be used very effectively to increase the interest and color of a passage.

Read the following paragraph:

"Perhaps Toad is dressing in the ugly clothes he loves. He may change his appearance from all right to awful and cause the other animals to be very active."

The previous paragraph is grammatically correct and uses simple language but is not very interesting. Scroll down to the version of the same passage on the next screen. Notice how the elevated style has more purpose than simple statement.

"At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him, which transform him from a (comparatively) good-looking Toad into an Object which throws any decent-minded animal that comes across it into a violent fit."

Authors do exaggerate! They do use inflated language! But, such language has purpose. Examine what the passage about the toad has to tell us about the speaker (the Badger).

Delete any words below which you think do not fit the characterization, or portrait, of the badger. (Professor Wordwhip says to consult the dictionary if you aren't sure what a word means.)

The badger is:

dumb
sanctimonious
slow
pompous
overbearing
vain
opinionated


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Use hyperbole to describe a person you are acquainted with in life, on television, in movies, or from something you have read. Choose a person who has some disagreeable traits. Remember, hyperbole allows you to exaggerate -- to overstate the person's characteristics, somewhat like an artist drawing a caricature, or exaggerating the features of a person in a cartoon.

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Ask a writing partner to identify literal characteristics of the person you described figuratively.

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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