Back in April, when I first searched the term figurative language, I created a list of about a dozen terms. Anaphora is the last item on the list. It, however, is not figurative language. Anaphora is a writing device. Simply stated, anaphora is the repetitive use of words or phrases. This does not pass the figurative language test of writing something but meaning...
Epithet, the next term on the list of 'figurative language'. What is it? Epithet is a descriptive word or phrase that usually has emotion or a deeper meaning connected to the person or object being discussed. In some senses an epithet can be synechdoche because you are using a label to convey something else (remember part for whole). An epithet could very well be idiom as well...
Imagery is a concept in writing that helps you (the writer) convey sensory details to the reader. Browsing online for articles, as I have done previously, I found several references to "the senses". Take a moment and think about what senses we have: See - Sight Hear - Sound Smell - Aroma Taste - Flavor Touch - Texture All of these details will...
The topic of discussion today is irony. Definition The playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. From my earlier post on Figurative Language it would seem that irony and figurative language have too much in common to be separate terms. But irony is not the umbrella term that figurative language...
Idiom When I read the definition of idiom: The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply. I was immediately reminded of the metaphor:...
Synechdoche This type of figurative language is the 'part for the whole' concept in writing. L.E. Modesitt Jr., in the Saga of Recluse, uses this frequently. He labels those that use ordered magic as, Blacks, and those who use chaotic magic as, Whites. In several fantasy stories, the reference to Fist, is the reference to whole armies or companies of soldiers. The term synechdoche...
I have been writing posts on figurative language. I felt that it would be appropriate to clarify a distinction of the two terms: Figurative Language and Figure of Speech. In respect to language: Literal Language: the words are used with their proper meanings Figurative Language: the words are used in 'figures of speech' Figures of Speech: a phrase or word that is different...
The Onomatopoeia... This is a writing 'device' used to place words into a sentence that sound like the word itself. Words such as thunk, flap, drip, flush, etc.. Using this in your writing is a matter of preference. You like it or you do not. I'll have to wait and see what I find in the fantasy fiction literature to explain this concept...
Below you will find some examples of alliteration from my favorite fantasy fiction stories. To help out I have highlighted some of the similar sounds to help identify the alliteration within the writing. "I have seen a rumor born swathed in snug mystery left lying under the sun in the hills of the Gadrobi where the sheep have scattered on wolf-laden winds and...
Below are some examples of personification: "Despair, he told himself, always demands a direction, a focus."-P.285 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson ...
This post, like others, it to further illustrate figurative language. Below are examples of similes from my favorite books. Simile "He listened to her soft, regular breathing behind him-like the breath of a dragon-he was certain he could feel it gusting against the back of his neck." --P.327 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson "Gaborn watched the girls drift by, feeling that their...
Definition To continue with the emphasis on Figurative Language: alliteration. Alliteration is defined as: "the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words". This type of writing is often used in poetry but can be woven into your story. At this time, using Google, I have not found a list of examples that is sufficient...
All writers, must be readers.... As I was reading one of my favorite novels I came across some metaphors that I thought would further illustrate a my post on Metaphors. Read this! "High Fist," he said at last, aware that both men had been waiting for him to speak, "there's still a few Bridgeburners left. Fewer hands on the sword. But the sword's...
Definition Personification in writing is when writers give human traits to a non-human item. To give you a clear example I am going to use a cliche: A man stands beside his friend and says, "Isn't she a beauty". (Referring to the car he just bought.) Obviously the car cannot have a gender but the use of this type of figurative language...
The metaphor is another method for comparing things. Similar to the simile but less direct. The metaphor is an indirect comparison. For a definition of metaphor: A figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but have some characteristics common between them. As an author you must have an...
Not too long ago I wrote a post that simply defined the simile. It was a quick, last-minute effort to get a blog post completed. Several days later, I found that the writing was not as useful as I had hoped. Since the ultimate goal of this project is to write a book on Fantasy Fiction—it would be more useful to have relevant...
I used Google to find a basic definition of ‘figurative language’. I found several articles that had comparable lists. I compiled those lists below. As I explore each term I will determine if they are actually figurative language by definition or if they have been placed together haphazardly. All terms italicized are not figurative language but are writing devices. Simile Metaphor Personification Alliteration Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Cliche...
One of the challenges of writing a story is that you have to take what you have imagined and convey that image to another person so that they can have the same experience and enjoyment that you have had. If I held a photo in my hand and you had to guess what it looked like . . . could you? No. You...
During my last post I wrote about backstory. As an oversimplified reminder Backstory can be broken down into scene and summary. Scene is good. Summary is bad. The telling of events that have already ended has its limitations. The stuff has already happened. This can be overcome by making the scene develop the character meaningfully. Again you can read all of the criticisms...
After reading several articles online I have come to find that it is important to redefine how 'back-story' is known. Without initially taking the time to define the concept it is difficult and problematic to analyze. For instance, in many of the articles that are posted online, back-story is mistaken for 'background' and plenty of criticism is developed. Many editors and authors simply...