Friday 23 February 2007

Our Rich Language

The English language is rich in words and phrases that convey meaning. Use words that will conjure up the sight you want your readers to see. Ensure that the imagery you are using will appeal to your readers' senses and that it will help them to visualise, to put them into the world you are creating on the page. For truly descriptive work, use metaphors and similes; but don't just put them in for the sake of it, and use them sparingly. Make sure that your metaphors are not obvious – you want to guide your reader, not drag them by the hair! The words you use, the similes and the metaphors, should all enhance meaning.

Aristotle said: "The greatest thing in style is to have a command of metaphor." In Greek, metaphor means 'transport'; the idea is to transport a meaning from one realm to another - something like language in stereo. But make sure that your metaphors are seamless, woven into your story subtly - a string of metaphors strung together just for the sake of it would make very boring reading.

A metaphor can make us see familiar things differently. Our language is rich in meaning; use it well and make your work shine.

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