1.

Definitions
Figurative language is using figures of speech to be more effective,
persuasive and impactful. Figures of speech such as metaphors,
similes, allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to
give the readers new insights. On the other hand, alliterations,
imageries, or onomatopoeias are figurative devices that appeal to
the senses of the readers. Figurative language can appear in
multiple forms with the use of different literary and rhetorical
devices. According to Merriam Websters Encyclopedia, figurative
language has five different forms: understatement or emphasis,
relationship or resemblance, figures of sound, errors and verbal
games.
a. Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing
similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a
simile draws resemblance with the help of the words like or as.
Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

Our soldiers are as brave as lions.

Her cheeks are red like a rose.

He is as funny as a monkey.

The water well was as dry as a bone.

He is as cunning as a fox.

Examples in Bahasa: "Parasmu bagai rembulan yang bersinar di malam

hari
b. Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or
hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share
some common characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two
contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some
common characteristics. In simple English, when you portray a person,

place, thing, or an action as being something else, even though it is

not actually that something else, you are speaking metaphorically.
He is the black sheep of the family is a metaphor because he is not a
sheep and is not even black. However, we can use this comparison to
describe an association of a black sheep with that person. A black sheep
is an unusual animal and typically stays away from the herd, and the
person you are describing shares similar characteristics.
Furthermore, a metaphor develops a comparison which is different from
a simile i.e. we do not use like or as to develop a comparison in a
metaphor. It actually makes an implicit or hidden comparison and not
an explicit one.

Examples: My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too

angry.)

The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment

was not difficult.)

It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear
skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships)

The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat;

therefore, this implies that the coming times are going to be hard
for him.)

Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes
him feel happy)

c. Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an
animal is given human attributes. The non-human objects are
portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like
human beings.

Examples: Look at my car. She is a beauty, isnt it so?

The wind whispered through dry grass.

The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.

Time and tide waits for none.

The fire swallowed the entire forest.

d. Hyperbole
Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning over-casting is a
figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the
sake of emphasis.
It is a device that we employ in our day-to-day speech. For
instance, when you meet a friend after a long time, you say, Ages
have passed since I last saw you. You may not have met him for
three or four hours or a day, but the use of the word ages
exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your wait.
Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasize the
real situation. Some other common Hyperbole examples are given
below.

Examples: My grandmother is as old as the hills.

Your suitcase weighs a ton!

She is as heavy as an elephant!

I am dying of shame.

I am trying to solve a million issues these days.

e. Idiom
The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or
more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the
expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as
to mean something quite different from what individual words of
the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the
phrase is interpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in
different cultures and countries.

Examples: A chip on your shoulder - means you are holding a

grudge
High as a kite - means you are drunk or on drugs
Sick as a dog - means you are very ill
f.

Alliteration
Alliteration is derived from Latins Latira. It means letters of
alphabet. It is a stylistic device in which a number of words, having
the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series.

Consider the following examples:

But a better butter makes a batter better.

A big bully beats a baby boy.

Both sentences are alliterative because the same first letter of words (B)
occurs close together and produces alliteration in the sentence. An
important point to remember here is that alliteration does not depend
on letters but

on

sounds.

So

the

phrase not

knotty is

alliterative,

but cigarette chase is not.

Common Examples of Alliteration
In our daily life, we notice alliteration in the names of different companies.
It makes the name of a company catchy and easy to memorize. Here are
several common alliteration examples.

Dunkin Donuts

PayPal

Best Buy

Coca-Cola

Life Lock

Park Place

American Apparel

American Airlines

Chuckee Cheeses

Bed Bath & Beyond

Krispy Kreme

The Scotch and Sirloin

We also find alliterations in names of people, making such names

prominent and easy to be remembered. For instance, both fictional
characters and real people may stand out prominently in your mind due to
the alliterative effects of their names. Examples are:

Ronald Reagan

Sammy Sosa

Jesse Jackson

Michael Moore

William Wordsworth

Mickey Mouse

Porky Pig

Lois Lane

Marilyn Monroe

Fred Flintstone

Donald Duck

Spongebob Squarepants

g. Assonance
Assonance takes place when two or more words close to one
another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different
consonant sounds.
For instance,
Men sell the wedding bells.
The same vowel sound of the short vowel -e- repeats itself in almost all
the words excluding the definite article. The words do share the same
vowel

sounds

but

start

with

different

consonant

sounds

unlike alliteration that involves repetition of the same consonant sounds.

Below are a few assonance examples that are more common:
Common Assonance Examples

We light fire on the mountain.

I feel depressed and restless.

Go and mow the lawn.

Johnny went here and there and everywhere.

The engineer held the steering to steer the vehicle.

h. Clich

Clich refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it
loses its original meaning or novelty. A clich may also refer to actions and
events which are predictable because of some previous events.

I second the motion (Courts)

I now pronounce you man and wife (Wedding Ceremony)

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the

office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States. (Oath taking ceremony)

Happy Birthday!

Similarly, certain epithets like reverend and father are attached to the
names of church officials. Besides, people of the royal family are
addressed with epithets Your Grace, Your Highness or Your Royal
Highness. Such expressions are part of etiquette and do not fall under the
category of clichs.
Common Clich Examples
Example #1
In describing time, the following expressions have turned into clich

in the nick of time to happen just in time

only time will tell to become clear over time

a matter of time to happen sooner or later

at the speed of light to do something very quickly

lasted an eternity to last for a very long time

lost track of time to stop paying attention to time

Example #2
In describing people, these expressions have turned into clich

as brave as a lion a clich to describe a very brave person

as clever as a fox a clich to describe a very clever person

as old as the hills a clich to describe an old person

a diamond in the rough a clich to describe someone with a

brilliant future

fit as a fiddle a clich to describe a person in a good shape

as meek as a lamb a clich to describe a person who is too weak

and humble

In describing various sentiments, a number of expressions have turned

into clich e.g.

frightened to death to be too frightened

scared out of ones wits to be too frightened

all is fair in love and war to go to any extent to claim somebodys

love

all is well that ends well a happy ending reduces the severity of
problems that come in the way

every cloud has a silver lining problems also have something good
in them

the writing on the wall something clear and already understood

time heals all wounds pain and miseries get will with the passage
of time

haste makes waste people make mistakes in a rush