what does the figurative language help the reader understand?
Answers. 1  Figurative language (aka literary devices) is writing which says something in a way that is poetic or beautiful. Using figurative language is a way to invite the reader in to experience what the writer is describing. Examples include imagery (words that describe something so well that the reader can almost see, hear, taste, smell, or touch what is being described). Simile Metaphor Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole etc.