How to Use Figurative Language in Public Speaking

Figurative language is roughly described as words that help the reader imagine the scenario. In other words, you’re trying to show a person rather than tell them something. This is a great tip for public speaking as well. Audiences who are repeatedly told what to think or believe are far less likely to listen as those that are showed different concepts. This doesn’t mean using visual aids, but helping your audience understand ideas by describing those ideas to them. In public speaking, you can use figurative language to help your audience with basic ideas and concepts.

Instructions

1. Show rather than tell. Try to find ways to describe your ideas to the audience instead of just telling them about it. For a drunk driving speech, you can describe the scene of a car crash instead of just telling them there was a crash.

2. Be imaginative instead of literal. Audiences are accustomed to speakers who just list facts, but by asking them to use their imaginations, you’ll stand out.

3. Surprise your audience by choosing words or phrases that they don’t expect. Public speaking is all about trying to capture the attention of the audience and you can do that by choosing concepts they might not expect.

4. Sprinkle several examples of figurative language into your speech or presentation to surprise the audience. You want them to stay riveted to your speech because they aren’t sure what will come next.

Tips & Warnings

• Take risks in your speech to really grab the attention of your audience. Describing exactly what happened to that drunk driver will capture their attention and keep them on the edge of their seat.

• Avoid being too flowery with your ideas. You need facts to back up the figurative language you use, not just stories.