Figures of Speech

Why do we need to study figures of speech? Knowing figures of speech helps you better understand a poem or story. In other words, it helps you read between the lines.

Hyperbole An obvious exaggeration intended to amuse or used for emphasis. For example: I’ve been waiting for ages. I ate a ton of chips for lunch

Alliteration The repetition of the same or similar sounds at the beginning of words. For example: She sells seashells by the seashore . I am the living legacy to the leader of the band

Metaphor A comparison between two things by saying one thing is another. It does NOT use the words “like” or “as” For example: He was a lion in battle. Her coal-black hair

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using key words such as “like”, “as”, “similar to”, or “than”. For example: He is smart as a whip. She is as cold as ice.

Personification Giving nonhuman things or abstract ideas human qualities. For example: The leaves are dancing in the wind. The rock gurgled.

Apostrophe To address something/someone who is absent, dead or unable to answer For example: Little flower, why are you smiling?

Metonymy One word is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. For example: "The B.L.T. left without paying.“ (waitress referring to a customer) The pen is mightier than the sword. The word “pen” is used for the written word and “sword” is used for military power.

How am I going to remember all these terms? HAMSPAM! H – Hyperbole A – Alliteration M – Metaphor S – Simile P – Personification A – Apostrophe M - Metonymy

More figures of speech We’re not done yet

Oxymoron Two directly opposite words placed together. For example: Pretty ugly Bitter sweet

Onomatopoeia Words are used to imitate sounds For example: Buzz Hiss Splat Thump

Practice – Name the figure of speech in each of the following sentences She was a picture sitting there in her pretty pink dress. You stupid door, why don’t you just stay shut for a change? The days of our lives are like the sands slipping through the hourglass. She’s lost a ton of weight on that new Jenny Craig diet. I was so hungry I ate the whole refrigerator. The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings.

Answers She was a picture sitting there in her pretty pink dress. Metaphor, Alliteration You stupid door, why don’t you just stay shut for a change? Apostrophe The days of our lives are like the sands slipping through the hourglass. Simile She’s lost a ton of weight on that new Jenny Craig diet. Hyperbole I was so hungry I ate the whole refrigerator. Hyperbole The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings. Metonymy

More practice Oh Shakespeare, I wish you could help me with this poetry. The buzz saw snarled and snapped in the wind. He is like a bull in a china shop. The little dog laughed. The honeybee buzzed. I love jumbo shrimp.

Answers Oh Shakespeare, I wish you could help me with this poetry. Apostrophe The buzz saw snarled and snapped in the wind. Personification, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia He is like a bull in a china shop. Simile The little dog laughed. Personification. The honeybee buzzed. Onomatopoeia I love jumbo shrimp. Oxymoron

Your turn Write nine sentences. Each sentence should contain one figure of speech.