Literal and Figurative Language

Figurative vs. Literal

To be literal is to mean what you say.

If I tell you to sit down! I mean it literally: “sit down,” as in: “sit in your seat now, please.

My meaning is exactly what I say.

Here’s another example.

I’m tired and going home.

This means “I’m tired and I’m going home” there is no other meaning other than what is said.

I mean exactly what I say.

To be figurative is to not mean what you say but imply something else.

If, I tell you: “let’s go chill!”

I’m not suggesting we get into the freezer.

…means let’s relax together and do something fun. It has nothing to do with temperature.

So

Figurative Language does not always mean what is being said or read, but serves to make it more interesting.

There are five important techniques of figurative language;

onomatopoeia, alliteration, simile, metaphor and personification.