This chapter I believe to be really valuable and if I had my way, every story on Wattpad would have a good amount of figurative language in it. What is figurative language, you ask? Well, there many different kinds, like metaphors, similes, and personification. They are literary devices used to convey something in a story to create a greater image or cause the reader to think.

They really brighten up a piece of writing and replace the dull with vibrant images and thought-provoking scenes. Figurative language is often used to convey theme, tone, and mood, which I have covered already. And I don't want to sound like you should try and trick your readers into thinking you are better at writing than you are, but figurative language also makes you sound more sophisticated. The reason is, many people on Wattpad don't even know how to use it properly or just are too lazy to. It's that one difference from other stories that will make yours go the extra mile. So lets talk about the different types of figurative language.

Metaphors are usually the first thing people think of when they hear the phrase "figurative language". What a metaphor is is a comparison between two ideas, people, or things without directly saying it is a comparison. The point is to even greater empathize the meaning, strength, or significance of something.

Example #1: Time is money.

Is time really money? Well, no, but that isn't why it was used. The point of this metaphor is to show that with enough time, saving, and patience, you can get rich. Or you can discover the perfect way to become a millionaire. Something you'll quickly learn about figurative language is that a lot of the time it's up to the interpreter.

Example #2: She was a hurricane, but now she's just a gust of wind.

Yep, I may have stolen some Katy Perry lyrics for you right there. Putting that aside, this is a great example of a metaphor. It shows that "she" used to be powerful and strong, but has since been reduced to just a whisper of what she was. A "gust of wind".

The second thing most people think about when it comes to figurative language. A simile is also a comparison, but actually explains this to the reader. Most similes have the use of "like" or "as" or occasionally the word "than". Similes are okay to use every once in a while, but usually it is more effective to use a metaphor because it is more bold. Although, too many metaphors tend to confuse readers so that's why using a simile is acceptable. Plus, sometimes metaphors just don't work where similes do.

Example #1: He moved slower than grass grew.

Similes are pretty self explanatory and usually there is only one way to interpret it. Grass grows pretty slow so we can get a clear image of just how fast this guy is moving. . . . Not very fast at all.

Example #2: Her heart was as cold, if not colder, as black ice.

In this simile, it accentuates how cruel and uncaring the girl being described is by comparing it to black ice.

Personification is a fun one. What is it, you ask? It is where you give human characteristics to an inanimate object. You've probably seen personification a million times without even realizing it, most likely using it many times yourself.

Example #1: The darkness whispered to me, beckoning me closer to greet it.

This example has two characteristics given to an inanimate object (the darkness). The first is the word "whispered" and the second is "beckoning". Darkness can neither whisper nor beckon and yet this example is not at all uncommon. This use of personification shows that the protagonist feels this connection to the darkness or that curiosity is pulling her into it. The darkness hasn't really done anything; it is all in her head.

Example #2: The sun played hide and seek with the clouds.

The sun can't play hide and seek and the clouds can't either, nor can they "play". But does this sentence still work? Absolutely! This use of personification is just to show that the sun is hidden behind the clouds.

A hyperbole is a huge exaggeration that is used to emphasize a point. It should usually be obvious that the writer is exaggerating. A lot of the time, similes and hyperboles are used together.

Example #1: Mary took about a million years before finally returning from the store.

Did Mary really take one million years to come back from the store? No, but this hyperbole is used to show that she took a really long time or the character is simply impatient.

Example #2: He snored louder than a freight train.

It isn't physically possible for someone to snore louder than freight train but the message is clear: he snored pretty damn loud!

Symbolism tends to be hidden in a story and only a percentage of your readers will really catch it. Symbolism can be found in names, objects, even the things that your characters say. I'll go through some examples so that you get the point and then you can start incorporating it into your story. This is the type of thing that people will look for and analyse if your story ever gets published.

Example #1: A lamb used to symbolize innocence and sacrifice.

Have any of you ever read the story "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl? I won't spoil it for you, but a lamb is often used to show purity, but they also used to be sacrificed, so it symbolizes both in his narrative. The purity part of a lamb ends up being quite ironic but there is a sacrifice that is made. The use of the word "lamb" in the title is foreshadowing. I highly suggest you check this story out in your free time. It's quite short, so don't worry that it will take you too long.

Example #2: An apple being left to rot on a students desk.

This is the kind of symbolism that most people just won't catch. An apple indicates education and intelligence. The fact that a student had an apple but left it to rot shows that they don't care about their education and could be what you might call a bad apple. (My puns are terrible.)

Example #3: Two enemies meet near a pond. A dove swims past and later the two come to terms.

A dove means "peace". The fact that a dove swam past these two people who obviously do not get along is a form of foreshadowing. Again, most people won't realize the significance of the swan until later, if they even do.

Alliteration is the repetition of the first consonant sound in a series of words. It is often seen in book and chapter titles, poetry, and children's books. It is also often used in character names to make them stand out. Other than that, it sounds silly if you use it casually so try not to.

Example #1: Severus Snape

Example #2: Freaky Friday

Example #3: Dirty Dancing

Before I explain what an onomatopoeia is, I'd like to advise you to avoid it at all costs unless you are writing a children's story.

What an onomatopoeia is is a sound effect. That's it. But be warned, there are always going to be better ways to describe what your characters can hear. They are okay occasionally, but don't make a habit of using this device. The reason they are used in children's stories are because they are simple and easy for the kids to understand.

Don't strive for "simple" when writing your story. Strive for "complex".

Please know that these aren't the only types of figurative language. There are definitely some I have forgotten. If you can think of another or want me to talk about one, let me know in the comments. I'll be sure to update it as soon as I can! Thanks for you reads, as usual.