Figurative Language TKAM Flashcards
A reference in literature to a famous person, place, or event. (Ex. “Sylvan history, who canst thus express / A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme…” from “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats, which alludes to the Sylvan deity of Greek mythology.)
Allusion
A statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. (Ex: “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and too late.” -Benjamin Franklin)
Aphorism
A metaphor that describes a place, a thing, or a person in such a way that gives readers a richer, deeper meaning and/or a more vivid description.
Epithet
Substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive. (Ex: Using “passed away” instead of “died”.)
Euphemism
An exaggeration or overstatement. (Ex. He said it a million times.)
Hyperbole
An expression that should not be interpreted literally; its meaning is figurative and means something quite different from the literal meaning of the phrase. (Ex: “Blow it out your ear.” meaning “go away,” or “leave me alone.”)
Idiom
When the opposite of what is expected or said happens.
irony
Is a figure of speech which employs an understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite expressions. (Ex: not too bad; she’s not a beauty queen; I’m not as young as I used to be)
Litotes (understatement form of irony)
A use of an incorrect word in place of a similar sounding word that results in nonsensical and humorous expression. (Ex: “I was most putrified with astonishment…” from Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The speaker meant petrified instead of putrified.)
Malapropism
A comparison that does not use “like” or “as.” (Ex: The test was a breeze.)
Metaphor
A figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else which is closely associated. (Ex: U.S. sends troops to the Middle East - the “U.S.” refers to the defense department/government; Lend me your ear - “ear” referring to your listening attention.)
Metonymy
Is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. (Ex: act naturally, awfully good, sweet sorrow, honorable villain)
Oxymoron
Is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. (Ex: “I must be cruel to be kind.”)
Paradox
Giving an animal, object, or idea human characteristics or personality.
Personification
Words with a double meaning. (Ex: When the cobbler tells Marullus he is “a mender of bad soles” playing on the word “soles” as “souls”.)
Pun
