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How Figurative Language Makes Complex Ideas More Persuasive

Figurative language is the food processor of persuasion: It purees emotional resistance, slices through entrenched positions and breaks down complex ideas into digestible nuggets.

Great news. This is not an article that requires the reader to learn (or relearn) the distinctions between metaphors, similes and analogies. Indeed, for our purposes, they all do the same thing, along with other linguistic devices, and will collectively be called figurative language.

Figurative language uses words or phrases to imply meanings beyond their literal definitions. It takes an object or action and compares it to something refreshingly familiar but completely unrelated. Consequently, ordinary language is transformed into something far more creative, engaging and memorable. 

Full article below:

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Great news. This is not an article that requires the reader to learn (or relearn) the distinctions between metaphors, similes and analogies. Indeed, for our purposes, they all do the same thing, along with other linguistic devices, and will collectively be called figurative language.

Figurative language uses words or phrases to imply meanings beyond their literal definitions. It takes an object or action and compares it to something refreshingly familiar but completely unrelated. Consequently, ordinary language is transformed into something far more creative, engaging and memorable. 

Full article below:

Open in new window

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