What is the primary purpose of figurative language in writing?

The primary purpose of figurative language in writing is to convey meaning through comparisons. Figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, allows writers to create vivid imagery and express complex ideas in a more relatable and imaginative way. This type of language enables readers to understand concepts more deeply by comparing them to familiar experiences or objects. For instance, saying "time is a thief" suggests that time stealthily takes away moments from our lives, evoking a more emotional response than stating a simple fact about time passing.

While accurately describing objects, providing statistical information, or listing facts can all be valuable in writing, they do not utilize figurative language's unique capacity to enhance meaning and engage the reader's imagination in the same way that comparisons do. Figurative language enriches the text, allowing deeper connections and interpretations.