LessonsTaʿrīḍ, Talwīḥ, Ramz, Īmāʾ and Ishārah; the Rhetorical Force of Figurative SpeechQuiz

ModeHow meaning is expressedRhetorical effect
Literal speechWord in its established senseDirect indication
Explicit speechQuality named directlyUnambiguous expression
KināyahIndirect sign to targetAssertion with an indicative support
Majāz / metaphorTransfer supported by contextAssertive vividness and intensity

This is not a claim of absolute superiority in every context. For a given audience or task, a plain explicit statement may be preferable. The discussion concerns capacity for rhetorical emphasis.

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Comparing literal, explicit, allusive and figurative speech

Taʿrīḍ, Talwīḥ, Ramz, Īmāʾ and Ishārah; the Rhetorical Force of Figurative Speech

ModeHow meaning is expressedRhetorical effect
Literal speechWord in its established senseDirect indication
Explicit speechQuality named directlyUnambiguous expression
KināyahIndirect sign to targetAssertion with an indicative support
Majāz / metaphorTransfer supported by contextAssertive vividness and intensity

This is not a claim of absolute superiority in every context. For a given audience or task, a plain explicit statement may be preferable. The discussion concerns capacity for rhetorical emphasis.