ABSTRACT
Figurative language, or figures of speech (we use both terms synonymously in this chapter), is the use of terms or phrases whose meaning differs from the literal meaning as defined by the dictionary. We’ve chosen to deal with this aspect of language because it’s ubiquitous in both speech and writing. This is as true of academic writing as any other genre. While there’s a wide range of figurative language, we’ve chosen to deal with six of these: similes, metaphors including personification, idioms, colloquialisms, clichés, and slang. A thoughtfully chosen simile, metaphor, or idiom can add color and drama to your prose. Commonly used idioms, colloquialisms, and clichés should be treated with caution, while slang expressions should be avoided. These expressions often indicate confusion, laziness, or imprecise thinking, revealing to the reader that you’re unsure of what you want to say. If you’re in any doubt about a particular expression, then leave it out!
