Literal vs. Figurative Language

Study Notes

Both literal and figurative language are used in literature and daily conversations.
Literal language means the words mean exactly what they say, with no comparison, understatement, or overstatement.
Figurative language refers to language that uses comparison, understatement, or overstatement to convey meaning.

Covers any non-literal use of language.
Helps to convey meaning in a more engaging, interesting, and enriching way.
Common literary techniques for applying figurative language include:
- Metaphors: implicit comparisons of two things, where one thing is spoken about as if it were another.
- Similes: explicit comparisons of two things using "like" or "as".
- Personification: describing an inanimate thing as if it were alive.
- Hyperbole: an exaggeration used to emphasize a point.

Allegories: stories where everything is a metaphor for something else.
Novels and short stories: narrative fiction often uses figurative language to convey meaning.
Poems: poetry often uses figurative language to convey meaning in a more engaging and interesting way.
Idioms: figurative language that has become easily understood through common usage.

Refers to any use of language where the meaning of the words can be boiled down to their dictionary definitions.
Used for direct communication and non-metaphorical description.
Vital for many important kinds of communication because it is more easily understood and less ambiguous than figurative language.

Recipes and instruction manuals: use literal language to provide clear instructions.
Analytical arguments: scientific and academic writing often uses literal language to make meaning clear and unambiguous.
Novels and short stories: narrative fiction relies on literal statements and descriptions to provide a foundation for the story.
Poems: poetry can also use literal language to convey meaning in a more direct and simple way.

Literal language: "This couch is super heavy!"
Figurative language: "This couch is like Mount Fuji!" (using a simile and hyperbole to convey the idea of the couch being heavy).
Note that language can be both literal and figurative, depending on the context and intention.