Paragraphs and essays can be written in different types or styles. A writer will choose a type depending on what he or she wishes to accomplish, what sort of material is to be discussed, and what kind of effect s/he wants to have on the reader. Generally speaking, there are four types of writing, though normally these types are mixed together.
Descriptive writing paints a picture. In its pure form, nothing much happens. "Description" tells us what something looks like, feels like, tastes like, sounds like or smells like ‐ without action or events. It doesn't explain a relationship or a process beyond oneself; it focuses on one's immediate subjective perceptions. Thus, descriptive writing connects the outer world with our inner feelings. It is usually concerned with creating a verbal picture of what we experience and feel at one moment, and it will use many rich and vivid adjectives and adverbs. So, as a writer, you should make the reader long to smell the rich essence of the trees, the haunting call of the wolves, or the rank odour of the sewer... if that's what you're writing about! Descriptive paragraphs and essays are usually written in the first person point of view, and are much more emotional and personal than expository writing. It should be said that you will rarely write a purely descriptive passage. Normally speaking, descriptive writing is mixed in with other styles as a supplement.
Descriptive writing paints a picture. In its pure form, nothing much happens. "Description" tells us what something looks like, feels like, tastes like, sounds like or smells like ‐ without action or events. It doesn't explain a relationship or a process beyond oneself; it focuses on one's immediate subjective perceptions. Thus, descriptive writing connects the outer world with our inner feelings. It is usually concerned with creating a verbal picture of what we experience and feel at one moment, and it will use many rich and vivid adjectives and adverbs. So, as a writer, you should make the reader long to smell the rich essence of the trees, the haunting call of the wolves, or the rank odour of the sewer... if that's what you're writing about! Descriptive paragraphs and essays are usually written in the first person point of view, and are much more emotional and personal than expository writing. It should be said that you will rarely write a purely descriptive passage. Normally speaking, descriptive writing is mixed in with other styles as a supplement.
Figurative language Figurative language is different to literal language. With literal language, the words mean exactly what they say. With figurative language, however, the words take on an entirely new meaning: HOW CAN I? By Brian Moses How can I wind up my brother when I haven’t got the key? How can I turn on my charm when I can’t even find the switch? How can I snap at my mother when I’m not a crocodile? How can I stir up my sister when I’m not even holding a spoon? How can I pick up my feet and not fall to the ground on my knees? How can I stretch my legs when they’re long enough already? Parents! – They ask the impossible! We use figures of speech to paint beautiful picture with words: WHAT IS THE SUN? By Wes Magee the Sun is an orange dinghy sailing across a calm sea it is a gold coin dropped down a drain in heaven the Sun is a yellow beach ball kicked high into the summer sky it is a red thumb-print on a sheet of pale blue paper the Sun is a milk bottle’s golden top floating in a puddle. Figures of Speech can be classified as: Comparisons:
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Comparisons
A simile is a figure of speech in which two things, unlike in every way except one, are compared. A word such as 'like' or 'as' is generally used to draw attention to the comparison: THE OLD MEN ADMIRING THEMSELVES IN WATER By WB Yeats I heard the old, old men say, ‘Everything alters, And one by one we drop away.’ They had hands like claws, and their knees Were twisted like the old thorn-trees By the waters. I heard the old, old men say, ‘All that’s beautiful drifts away Like the waters.’ Metaphors: A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is identified totally with another. It is not 'as' or 'like' the thing to which it is compared; the object becomes the thing to which it is compared. The object takes on the attributes or qualities of the thing that it is compared to: FOG By Carl Sandburg The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbour and city on silent haunches and then moves on. Personification: To personify something is to give human characteristics to it. In other words, a non-human thing is referred to in human terms: WHISPERING LEAVES By Julie O’Callaghan I am wondering what it is the leaves are whispering to me. Which language they speak. It doesn’t seem funny but it might be. It takes years getting leaf ears only there aren’t many quiet days to sit out and learn leaf talk. Leaves, I’m listening. Anthropomorphism: Personification applies to non-living objects. When we give human characteristics or divine qualities to living creatures (e.g. animals), we call it anthropomorphism: ANIMAL RIGHTS By Lindsay MacRae Our cat won’t use the cat-flap any more. He’s started to fight for his Animal Rights and insists that he uses the door. Exaggeration / Understatement Hyperbole Hyperbole (pronounced: high-per-ba-lee) is deliberate over-exaggeration. It is not meant to be taken literally, but is used to create humor or to emphasize a point. Understatement: Understatement is the deliberate playing down of something, usually for comic effect Here are some examples from popular culture: "I have to have this operation . . .. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." (Holden Caulfield in The Catcher In The Rye, by J. D. Salinger) "It's just a flesh wound." (Black Knight, after having both of his arms cut off, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail) "Well, that's cast rather a gloom over the evening, hasn't it?" (Dinner guest, following a visit from the Grim Reaper, in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life) Euphemism: Euphemism is also a form of understatement. It is used when you have to talk about something unpleasant or uncomfortable. A euphemism provides a more sensitive and tactful manner to express those thoughts. Contradiction: Irony: Irony is defined as: "a mockingly humorous use of words in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is actually said". The first kind of irony is 'dramatic irony' and occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the speaker or character does not know. The second kind of irony is 'irony of fate' or 'situational irony and occurs when someone deliberately tries to achieve one thing but the opposite happens The third kind of irony is 'sarcasm'. The dictionary defines sarcasm as: "harsh or bitter words intended to hurt or insult, especially in an exaggerated or ironical way." "You're a real genius!" ... If this is said when someone has just made a mistake, then the word 'genius' is used sarcastically and is intended to make the person feel stupid. Figurative Expressions: Puns: A pun is a clever use of words to create a double meaning. A pun contains at least one word that has two or more meanings or associations: LETTUCE MARRY Author Unknown Do you carrot all for me? My heart beets for you, With your turnip nose And your radish face. You are a peach. It we cantaloupe Lettuce marry; Weed make a swell pear. Idioms: Idioms are commonly used figurative expressions. Idioms are figurative, in other words, the intended meaning (figurative) is entirely different from the literal meaning: MY DAD IS AMAZING! By Ian Souter My dad’s amazing for he can: make mountains out of molehills, teach Granny to suck eggs, make Mum’s blood boil and then drive her up the wall. My dad’s amazing for he also: walks around with his head in the clouds, has my sister eating out of his hand, says he’s got eyes in the back of his head and can read me like a book. But, the most amazing thing of all is: when he’s caught someone red-handed, first he jumps down their throat and then he bites their head off! |