Figures of Speech

• A figure of speech expresses an idea,thought, or image with words which carrymeanings beyond their literal ones.
• SIMILE - A direct comparison of two things, usually employing the words like or as
• METAPHOR - An implied comparison in which one thing is spoken of in terms of something else; in figurative term is substituted for or identified with the literal term.
• HYPERBOLE - The use of exaggeration oroverstatement to make a point. It may beused for emphasis, for humor ,or forpoetic intensity.
• PERSONIFICATION - Another type of comparison that treats objects or

  things as if they were capable of the actions and

  feelings of people. As in a metaphor, there is an

  implied comparison which gives the attributes of a

  human being to an animal, object, or idea.
• IRONY - An expression in which the author’s meaning is quite different (often the opposite) from what is literally said. Irony, as a matter of tone, occurs most frequently in prose as a technique for humor, satire, or contrast.
• ALLUSION - A reference to some historical or literary event or person that has striking resemblance to the subject under discussion. Allusion is used often in prose.
• IMAGERY - The use of vivid detailed descriptionsthat evoke sensory images. Imagery isemployed to give the reader the sensethat he or she can see, hear, feel, smell,or other wise experience what is beingdescribed.
• OXYMORON - A figure of speech in which two opposite ideas arejoined to create an effect. The common oxymoronphrase is a combination of an adjective precededby a noun with contrasting meaning, such as“cruel kindness” or “living death”.
• ALLITERATION - The repetition of initial consonant sounds of neighboring words.
• ONOMATOPOEIA - Word that imitates the sound it represents
• IDIOMS - A saying that means something different than whatit says
• APOSTROPHE - Directly addressing a nonexistent person or aninanimate object as though it were a living being
• ANAPHORA - A technique where several phrases or verses begin with the same word orwords.
• ASSONANCE - The repetition of vowel sounds (not just letters) in words that are close together. The sounds don't have to be at the beginning of theword