Figures of Speech Flashcards
the figure of speech that directly
compares two things with the use of ‘like’
and ‘as’. ( Ex. Her cheeks are red like a
rose. )
Simile
is a figure of speech that, for
rhetorical effect, directly refers to one
thing by mentioning another. ( Ex. The
snow is a white blanket. )
Metaphor
is a figure of speech in
which a thing or abstraction is represented as a person. ( Ex. Lightning danced across
the sky. )
Personification
The expression of one’s meaning by using
language that normally signifies the opposite,
typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
( Ex. What nice weather we’re having! )
Irony
A figure of speech in which apparently
contradictory terms appear in
conjunction. ( Ex. Alone together )
Oxymoron
Is seemingly absurd or self-contradictory
statement in logic that, superficially, cannot
be true but also cannot be false.
( Ex. Your enemy’s friend is your enemy )
Paradox
The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. ( Ex. splash!
bang! quack-quack )
Onomatopoeia
Is the conspicuous repetition of identical initial
consonant sounds in successive or closely
associated syllables within a group of words.
( Ex. She sells seashells by the sea-shore. )
Alliteration
The repetition of the sound of a vowel or
diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables
near enough to each other. ( Ex. Try to
light the fire )
Assonance
to use exaggerated language to
emphasize or heighten effects; can be used to have an amusing effect (ex. Her brain is the size of a pea!)
Hyperbole
to use understatement to emphasize; technically, expressing a thought by denying its opposite (ex. You're not doing badly at all!)
Litotes
the substitution of an inoffensive term for one
considered offensively explicit.
(ex. Passed away (instead of died))
Euphemism
A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole. (ex. Tina is learning her ABC’s in
preschool’ (ABC’s refers to the whole alphabet))
Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated (ex. “The pen is mightier than the sword.” (Pen refers to written words, and sword to military force.))
Metonymy
