In informative writing, what is the purpose of using figures of speech such as similes and metaphors?

• A. To confuse readers
• B. To replace factual evidence
• C. To present data more precisely
• D. To aid comprehension by making comparisons

Answer: (D)

Figurative language in informative writing helps readers understand by connecting new ideas to familiar ones. By drawing a comparison, a writer makes an abstract or unfamiliar concept more concrete, clarifying meaning and aiding memory. These devices support comprehension without changing the factual content; they don’t replace evidence or data, and they don’t increase the precision of measurements. Instead, they illuminate understanding through vivid imagery and relatable anchors. So the purpose is to aid comprehension by making comparisons. The other options don’t fit because these figures of speech aren’t meant to confuse readers, replace facts, or sharpen data precision.