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Figurative Language Pun – A play on words.

A pun involves using a


Alliteration - The repetition of the same initial word or words that have more than one meaning.
letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of
words. Alliteration includes tongue twisters. Example: My dog not only has a fur coat, but also
Example: She sells seashells by the seashore. pants.

Cliché - A cliché is an expression that has been Simile - A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to
used so often that it has become common and compare one object or idea with another to
sometimes boring. suggest they are alike.
Examples: Opposites attract. You are what you Example: She is busy as a bee.
eat.

Hyperbole - An exaggeration that is so dramatic


that no one would believe the statement is true. Figurative Language
Tall tales are hyperboles. Alliteration - The repetition of the same initial
Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of
words. Alliteration includes tongue twisters.
Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.
Idiom - An idiom is an expression that has a
meaning apart from the meanings of its individual
words. It’s not meant to be taken literally. Cliché - A cliché is an expression that has been
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs. used so often that it has become common and
sometimes boring.
Irony – Irony is a literary device involving a Examples: Opposites attract. You are what you
discrepancy between what is said and what is eat.
meant, or between what’s expected to happen
and what actually occurs. There are three main Hyperbole - An exaggeration that is so dramatic
types: that no one would believe the statement is true.
 Dramatic irony - A situation in which the Tall tales are hyperboles.
audience knows something about present Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
or future circumstances that the character
does not know. Idiom - An idiom is an expression that has a
Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Romeo thinks meaning apart from the meanings of its individual
Juliet is dead, so he goes to her tomb to words. It’s not meant to be taken literally.
kill himself. This is ironic because he Example: It’s raining cats and dogs.
doesn’t know, as the audience does, that
she is has been given a potion to make Irony – Irony is a literary device involving a
her look dead. discrepancy between what is said and what is
 Verbal irony - A contradiction of meant, or between what’s expected to happen
expectation between what is said and and what actually occurs. There are three main
what is meant. types:
Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Juliet is upset  Dramatic irony - A situation in which the
after being told that her father has audience knows something about present
promised her hand in marriage to Paris. or future circumstances that the character
She states to her mother "…I will not does not know.
marry yet; and, when I do, I swear it shall Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Romeo thinks
be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather Juliet is dead, so he goes to her tomb to
than Paris …" This is ironic because she is kill himself. This is ironic because he
already married to Romeo. doesn’t know, as the audience does, that
 Situational irony - A contradiction she is has been given a potion to make
between what might be expected and her look dead.
what actually occurs. It’s often connected  Verbal irony - A contradiction of
to a really negative view of life. expectation between what is said and
Example: Dying of thirst while adrift on a what is meant.
boat in the ocean. There’s water Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Juliet is upset
everywhere, but none of it is drinkable. after being told that her father has
promised her hand in marriage to Paris.
Metaphor - The metaphor makes a direct She states to her mother "…I will not
comparison between two unlike things. A simile marry yet; and, when I do, I swear it shall
would say you are like something; a metaphor is be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather
more positive - it says you are something. than Paris …" This is ironic because she is
Example: Her eyes are stars shining in the sky. already married to Romeo.
 Situational irony - A contradiction
Onomatopoeia – The use of a word to describe between what might be expected and
or imitate a natural sound or the sound made by what actually occurs. It’s often connected
an object or an action. to a really negative view of life.
Example: snap, crackle, pop. Example: Dying of thirst while adrift on a
boat in the ocean. There’s water
Oxymoron – When something is described using everywhere, but none of it is drinkable.
contradictory terms.
Example: jumbo shrimp; definite maybe; Metaphor - The metaphor makes a direct
deafening silence. comparison between two unlike things. A simile
would say you are like something; a metaphor is
Personification - A figure of speech in which more positive - it says you are something.
human characteristics are given Example: Her eyes are stars shining in the sky.
to an animal or an object.
Example: My teddy bear gave me a hug. Onomatopoeia – The use of a word to describe
or imitate a natural sound or the sound made by
an object or an action.
Example: snap, crackle, pop.
Oxymoron – When something is described using
contradictory terms.
Example: jumbo shrimp; definite maybe;
deafening silence.

Personification - A figure of speech in which


human characteristics are given
to an animal or an object.
Example: My teddy bear gave me a hug.

Pun – A play on words. A pun involves using a


word or words that have more than one meaning.

Example: My dog not only has a fur coat, but also


pants.

Simile - A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to


compare one object or idea with another to
suggest they are alike.
Example: She is busy as a bee.

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