Figurative Language & Figures of Speech Literary Devices

Metaphor Comparing two unlike objects FORMAT: (something) is (something else) EXAMPLES: He is an angel She was a rock They are not actually those things, they just have a similar quality

Simile Comparing two objects using “like” or “as” FORMAT: _________ was as ________ as _________ is like __________ EXAMPLES: He was a like a movie star, with glistening white teeth She was as strong as an ant, which is actually really strong Similes clearly express a similar quality

Personification Giving human qualities to non-human things FORMAT: No specific format May be combined with other literary devices EXAMPLES: The little dog laughed The flowers waved in the wind Because they are not human, they cannot have human actions

Hyperbole An exaggeration FORMAT: No specific format May be combined with other literary devices EXAMPLES: She was smarter than everyone in the room, just like Einstein His smile was brighter than the sun Any characteristic can be exaggerated

Onomatopoeia Sound words Words to represent actual sounds FORMAT: No specific format, but can sometimes be written in CAPITAL LETTERS EXAMPLES: BANG! BOP! BAM! ZOWIE!! The duck said “Quack.” You often find these in comic strips

Pun The use of a word in a way that plays on its different meanings. Example: When the gorilla saw the bananas, he went ape!

Imagery Words used to create or describe something in detail Often used with other literary devices FORMAT: No specific format EXAMPLES: The snow was fluffy and white; it sparkled more brightly than the stars on the moonless night. Any descriptive phrase that paints a picture in your mind The sunset was painted across the sky. The flowers smiled, even though their beauty almost paled next to magnificent sky.

Oxymoron Two opposites, put together to express an idea Often used to describe something, can be similar to a metaphor FORMAT: Format can vary He was ____________________ EXAMPLES: Big baby Jumbo Shrimp Brilliant Idiot The two opposites both apply in explaining something

Alliteration Repetition of the same beginning sound of a word, at least 3 times FORMAT: _________ _________ ______ EXAMPLES: Big, beautiful bumblebees Round, rattling and ruffled… Think like Dr. Seuss! The words can be descriptors, or a combination of word types

Idioms An expression in English, that doesn’t mean what it sounds like it should mean FORMAT: Format can vary EXAMPLES: He was walking on thin ice Drama was not her cup of tea Can be very descriptive, but sometimes won’t make sense to people who haven’t heard them before

Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds Example: “Days wane away.”

Allusion A reference to something or someone often literary. Example: Trying to instill confidence in a friend by saying, “Use the force,” - would be an allusion to Stars Wars.

Characterization The means by which an author establishes character. An author may directly describe the appearance and personality of character or show it through action or dialogue.

Connotation Connotation can be either negative or positive A meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations. Example: Thrifty and miserly both mean that someone is good with money Thrifty has a positive connotation, like someone saves money in a positive way Miserly has a negative connotation, that someone is hoarding money, or saving at the expense of others

Analogy a literary device that creates a relationship based on parallels or connections between two ideas. This introduces the idea is introduced through a familiar comparison, thus making the new concept easier to grasp

Tone The author’s attitude toward his or her subject. For example, a tone could be pessimistic, optimistic, or angry.

Understatement A figure of speech used to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery, and tell a reporter “I am delighted!”

Metonymy Metonymy is a figure of speech that  replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it is closely associated “The White House is taking a stand against Trump.” The White House represents all of the people who work there.

Synecdoche Synecdoche is where the whole is represented by the part Synecdoche – Calling your car “Wheels”, because it has wheels

Allegory: A story in which the characters represent abstract qualities or ideas. Example, in westerns, the sheriff represents the good, and the outlaw represents evil.

Irony Language that conveys a certain ideas by saying just he opposite.

Paradox A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself and still seems true  Example: Nobody goes to the restaurant because it’s too crowded. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Atmosphere The overall feeling of a work, which is related to tone and mood. The atmosphere of “Rogue One”, at the end, is generally being resigned to their fate. They know they can’t escape, but are okay with dying for the greater good.

Monologue A long speech by one character in a play or story.

Parody A humorous, exaggerated imitation of another work. The entire career of “Weird Al” Yankovic “Word Crimes”

Symbolism The use of one things to represent another. Dove = Peace

Theme The central idea of a work.

Soliloquy A monologue in which a character expresses his or her thoughts to the audience and does not intend the other characters to hear them.

Fable A story that illustrates a moral often using animals as the character—for example, The Tortoise and the Hare.

Mood The emotional atmosphere of a given piece of writing Tone is illustrated by the author, through the language, mood is the feeling given to the reader.

Motif An idea or pattern that recurs in a work. Is usually smaller than the theme, and often represents something else.

Figurative Language Language that does not mean exactly what it says Figurative Language is the broad category including similes, metaphors, etc. For example, calling someone who is very angry “steaming.” Unless steam was actually coming out of your ears, you were using figurative language.

Myth A legend that embodies the beliefs of people and offers some explanation for natural and social phenomena. Example: The Story of Turtle Island tells about how North America was made.

Sensory Imagery Imagery that has to do with something you can see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. Example: “The stinging, salty air drenched his face.”

Satire A work that makes fun of something or someone. Example: Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” suggests that people should eat babies. In fact, it was providing commentary on Catholicism and poverty

Sarcasm Language that conveys a certain idea by saying the opposite Example: It’s raining outside and you say, “My what a beautiful day.”

Rhetorical Question A question not meant to be answered Example: “Why can’t we just get along?”