Literal vs Figurative Language
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Literal vs Figurative Language

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of literal language?

  • It implies a non-literal meaning which does make sense.
  • It maintains a consistent meaning regardless of the context. (correct)
  • It uses words in a way that deviates from their conventionally accepted definitions.
  • It conveys a more complicated meaning or heightened effect.
  • What is the key characteristic of figurative language?

  • It conveys a more complicated meaning or heightened effect. (correct)
  • It implies a non-literal meaning which does make sense.
  • It maintains a consistent meaning regardless of the context.
  • It uses words in a way that deviates from their conventionally accepted definitions.
  • What does the figurative use of language imply?

  • Words exactly according to their conventionally accepted meanings.
  • A consistent meaning regardless of the context.
  • A non-literal meaning which does make sense. (correct)
  • A more complicated meaning or heightened effect.
  • What does literal usage confer to words?

    <p>A consistent meaning regardless of the context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were among the early analysts of rhetoric who expounded on the differences between literal and figurative language?

    <p>Aristotle and Quintilian</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between a simile and a metaphor?

    <p>Simile directly states the similarity between two things, while metaphor implies the similarity without using 'like' or 'as'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of figurative language attributes human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract notions?

    <p>Personification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an extended metaphor, what happens to the metaphor over multiple sentences?

    <p>It is continued over multiple sentences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes onomatopoeia from other types of figurative language?

    <p>It uses words that imitate sounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which literary device involves a figure of speech in which a pair of opposite or contradictory terms are combined?

    <p>Oxymoron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of figurative language involves the use of the words 'as' or 'like' to highlight similarities between two seemingly different things?

    <p>Metaphors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of figurative language?

    <p>It helps readers visualize and understand writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of figurative language attributes human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract notions?

    <p>Personification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes onomatopoeia from other types of figurative language?

    <p>It creates sound effects using words that imitate natural sounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an extended metaphor, what happens to the metaphor over multiple sentences?

    <p>It is developed and elaborated on</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of figurative language is used when a part of something is used to represent a whole (or vice-versa)?

    <p>Synecdoche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which literary device involves the figurative application of human qualities and abilities to inanimate objects or abstractions?

    <p>Personification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of litotes as a type of ironic understatement?

    <p>To emphasize the positive by using negatives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of allusion in the context of figurative language?

    <p>Implicitly referencing famous people, places, or events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes an oxymoron from other types of figurative language?

    <p>It involves contradictory words put side by side</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Literal and Figurative Language

    • The primary characteristic of literal language is that it uses words to convey their exact meaning.
    • The key characteristic of figurative language is that it uses words to convey a meaning beyond their literal interpretation.

    Figurative Language Characteristics

    • Figurative language implies that the words used have a deeper meaning or connotation beyond their literal interpretation.
    • Literal usage confers exact meaning to words, whereas figurative language adds extra layers of meaning.

    Early Analysts of Rhetoric

    • Early analysts of rhetoric, such as Aristotle, expounded on the differences between literal and figurative language.

    Types of Figurative Language

    • A simile is a type of figurative language that compares two things using "like" or "as," whereas a metaphor makes a direct comparison without using these words.
    • Personification is a type of figurative language that attributes human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract notions.
    • In an extended metaphor, the metaphor is developed and expanded over multiple sentences.
    • Onomatopoeia is a type of figurative language that uses words to imitate the sounds they describe, distinguishing it from other types of figurative language.
    • Oxymoron is a literary device that combines two opposite or contradictory terms.

    Other Literary Devices

    • A synecdoche is a type of figurative language that uses a part of something to represent a whole (or vice-versa).
    • Personification is a literary device that involves the figurative application of human qualities and abilities to inanimate objects or abstractions.
    • Litotes is a type of ironic understatement that uses a negative to emphasize a positive.
    • Allusion is a type of figurative language that references a person, place, event, or work of art to create a richer meaning.

    Characteristics of Figurative Language

    • The primary characteristic of figurative language is that it uses words to convey a meaning beyond their literal interpretation.
    • Personification attributes human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract notions.
    • Onomatopoeia uses words to imitate the sounds they describe, distinguishing it from other types of figurative language.
    • Extended metaphors develop and expand the metaphor over multiple sentences.
    • Allusion references a person, place, event, or work of art to create a richer meaning.
    • Oxymoron combines two opposite or contradictory terms.

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    Test your knowledge of literal and figurative language, and understand how each is used to convey meaning in different contexts. Explore the differences between words' conventional meanings and their non-literal usage to convey complex ideas or emotions.

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