All writer's have a need to capture and hold on to a reader's attention. This means engaging the reader by forcing them to change from what they were thinking about before reading to what the writer wants them to think about as they read.

Figurative language is a most effective way of achieving this end. It uses such language devices as metaphors, similes and personification. These work by creating a mental image ('imagery') or a feeling, often one that is arresting and vivid. This effectively entertains and engages the reader.

A metaphor is a way of describing a thing by saying it is something entirely different. A simile is a way of comparing two things using the word 'like' or 'as': " He's a fool! is a metaphor " He's acting like a fool!" is a simile.

 Personification is a special type of metaphor that describes a non-living thing as if it were 'alive', as in: 'the wind breathed past them as they walked.' Personification works because it helps us to relate to the description very easily and it also adds an emotional quality.

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