Literal and Figurative Word Use

Section 1Literal meaning

Literal meaning is the exact, straightforward meaning of words. If someone says, "The gate is locked," the literal meaning is that the gate is actually locked. The thing to remember is that literal language says exactly what it means.

Section 2Figurative meaning

Figurative meaning goes beyond the exact words. It uses comparison, exaggeration, sound, or image to suggest an idea or feeling. For example, "The classroom was an oven" does not mean the room could bake bread; it means the room was extremely hot.

Section 3Context decides meaning

The same words can be literal in one sentence and figurative in another. "The runner flew down the track" is figurative because a person cannot literally fly. Watch out: do not label a phrase figurative just because it sounds interesting; check the situation.

Section 4Why writers use figurative words

Writers use figurative language to make ideas vivid, memorable, emotional, humorous, or forceful. Here's the trick: always ask what the phrase does for the reader. Does it make the scene easier to imagine, the feeling stronger, or the tone sharper?

Section 5Common figurative patterns

Common patterns include simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom, and symbolism. You do not always need to name the device to understand the meaning, but naming it can help if the question asks for technique. Easy to mix up - an idiom's meaning cannot usually be worked out word by word.

Section 6Explaining effect

In English A, it is not enough to say a phrase is figurative. Explain what it suggests and how it affects the passage. In plain words, move from label to meaning to effect: identify the phrase, say what it means, then say why it matters.