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 since the word or phrase has a hidden meaning.

In the well known Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Tolkien uses references to allow the reader to know who his characters are talking about. Such as, the Necromancer or Eye, referring to Sauron. In the Sword of Truth Series by Goodkind, The Lord Rahl is also an epithet because it refers to the leader of an empire, and a family heritage of wizards. So, an epithet could be also a nickname or sobriquet.

Think of epithet as a second name for a person or place that has a connected emotional meaning that would be easily recognized by the audience. The emotional hints and intensity would be clear.

Want to Learn More?
Definition
Epithets Add Character
"Epithets!" Yelled the Short, Grumpy, Red-Eyed, Cancer.
Writing Wednesday – Epithets
Tips 'n Stuff To Make Better Science Fiction/Fantasy Slang & Swear Words

Watch the Video below to learn more:

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 create a vibrant experience for your reader. The language itself is meant to be poetic. Not the "be direct and straightforward" writing which many DIY authors and publishers alike enjoy.

Adding these sensory details allows your reader to relate to the character directly. This is a way you can 'show' your reader the scenery rather than 'telling' your reader about it.

Is this figurative language? By itself, no.

But, take a moment, and think of how you might apply those sensory details in writing. How would you create a 'image' for your reader? Let's say your character was looking outside of a window. Without knowing anything else, what you write, gives the reader an impression of time, location, geography, and so much more.

Describing the scenery, is just that, description. (I'll make a post about that later.)

Then, how can imagery, which is rooted in the senses, be written so that it is not description? The answer: use other types of figurative language i.e. metaphor, and simile.

The wind, frigid and silent like a black winter night, brought no comfort.

That is one example of combining figurative language with imagery. Can you think of a way to do this?

Learn More:
A Short Guide to Imagery
Create Powerful Imagery in Your Writing
Definition
How to Use Imagery Effectively
How to Write Imagery


Wanting even more, watch the video below: 

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 is. Irony is more specific and limited in its scope. As a literary device, irony can be characterized in three different ways:

Dramatic Irony
This form of irony occurs when the reader knows something that the characters do not. There is a process for developing this type of irony: Inform the audience, develop curiosity in the audience, then let the character find out.

Situational Irony
This type of irony is created when there is an expected outcome and then something different happens.


Verbal Irony
When you use words that are intended to mean something else--verbal irony is created. The attitude or tone that the speaker or writer uses is the key factor in developing verbal irony. When the speaker says the opposite of what they mean--you've found verbal irony. 

While reading one of the articles below I found an additional type of irony listed:

Socratic Irony
When you pretend to be 'dumb' to show someone else that they are wrong.

Now you know what types of irony exist. So what? These fragments of figurative language are not useful unless you can place them within your story. The driving force of your story is the tension and emotion created by your characters. If, withholding or manipulating information does not further your story, then, be straightforward.

Learn More

• Irony (definition)
• Irony (4 types)
• Five Ways to use Dramatic Irony in your Writing
• How can I make an 'ironic death'
• The Four Reasons To Use Dramatic Irony In Your Story
• Writing With Irony
• A Readers Guide to Irony
• How to tell if you’re using ‘irony’ or ‘sarcasm’
• 3 Types of Irony

In on a secret? That's dramatic irony - Christopher Warner

What is verbal irony? - Christopher Warner