1. Metaphor A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things, without using “like” or “as.” It suggests that one thing is another, helping to convey an idea in a more vivid or symbolic way. Example: • “Time is a thief.” • Here, time isn’t literally a thief, but it’s compared to one, suggesting that time steals moments of our lives. Purpose: Metaphors allow us to convey abstract ideas in concrete, impactful ways. ⸻ 2. Simile A simile compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” It’s a softer form of metaphor that explicitly states the comparison. Example: • “Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.” • This compares her eyes to diamonds, emphasizing their brilliance and beauty. Purpose: Similes help readers visualize something by comparing it to something they already know, making descriptions more vivid. ⸻ 3. Personification Personification involves giving human characteristics to non-human things, animals, or abstract concepts. This helps to make the non-human elements more relatable and alive. Example: • “The wind whispered through the trees.” • The wind is given the human trait of whispering, making it seem like the wind is capable of communication. Purpose: Personification brings inanimate objects or abstract concepts to life, often adding emotional depth. ⸻ 4. Hyperbole A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. It’s often used for emphasis or humor. Example: • “I’ve told you a million times!” • The speaker has not literally told the person a million times, but the exaggeration emphasizes how many times they have repeated the information. Purpose: Hyperbole is often used to emphasize a point or convey strong feelings, creating a dramatic effect. ⸻ 5. Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in close succession. Example: • “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” • The repetition of the “p” sound makes this phrase catchy and rhythmic. Purpose: Alliteration adds musicality to writing and can be used to make phrases memorable. ⸻ 6. Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate natural sounds. Example: • “The buzzing of bees filled the air.” • “Buzzing” imitates the sound made by bees, helping the reader hear the sound in their mind. Purpose: Onomatopoeia helps to bring a scene to life by making the language sound like the thing it describes. ⸻ 7. Oxymoron An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms to create a unique meaning or effect. Example: • “Deafening silence.” • Silence is usually associated with quiet, but the word “deafening” creates a striking contrast to show how overwhelming the silence can feel. Purpose: Oxymorons can highlight contrasts and complexities in emotions, situations, or concepts. ⸻ 8. Irony Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning, often for humorous or emphatic effect. There are several types of irony: • Verbal Irony: Saying one thing but meaning another. (e.g., “What a beautiful day!” during a storm.) • Situational Irony: A situation where there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. (e.g., A fire station burns down.) • Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something that the characters do not. (e.g., In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet isn’t dead, but Romeo does not.) Purpose: Irony can create humor, suspense, or a deeper insight into human nature or society. ⸻ 9. Euphemism A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression used to replace words or phrases that might be considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant. Example: • “He passed away” instead of “He died.” • This softens the impact of the message, making it less direct or upsetting. Purpose: Euphemisms are often used to address sensitive topics more delicately. ⸻ 10. Antithesis Antithesis is the juxtaposition of two opposing ideas or phrases to create contrast and highlight differences. Example: • “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” — A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. • The contrast between “best” and “worst” emphasizes the extremes of the situation. Purpose: Antithesis helps highlight differences, often making the contrast more memorable and impactful. ⸻ 11. Allusion An allusion is a brief reference to a person, place, thing, or event that the writer assumes the reader will recognize. It’s often a reference to historical events, literature, or popular culture. Example: • “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.” • This refers to the character Romeo from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, implying that the person is a passionate lover. Purpose: Allusions create deeper meaning by linking ideas to well-known concepts or historical events

Figures of speech are expressive language techniques that enhance writing by __________, creating imagery, and invoking emotion.

conveying meaning

A __________ is a direct comparison between two unlike things that share a common characteristic.

metaphor

An example of a metaphor is: '__________.'

Time is a thief.

The effect of a metaphor is it suggests the idea that time __________ moments from our lives.

steals

A __________ is a comparison made using 'like' or 'as.'

simile

An example of a simile is: 'Her smile was __________.'

like the sun

The effect of a simile is that it creates a __________ image and establishes a relatable comparison.

vivid

__________ is the attribution of human traits to non-human entities.

Personification

An example of personification is: 'The __________ whispered through the trees.'

wind

The effect of personification is it brings inanimate objects or abstract concepts to __________, making descriptions more engaging.

life

__________ is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words.

Alliteration

An example of alliteration is: '__________.'

She sells seashells by the seashore.

The effect of alliteration is that it creates __________ and can enhance the musical quality of language.

rhythm

__________ is exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Hyperbole

An example of hyperbole is: 'I’m so hungry I could __________.'

eat a horse

The effect of hyperbole is it underscores the intensity of a feeling or situation, often for __________ effect.

humorous

__________ are words that imitate natural sounds.

Onomatopoeia

An example of onomatopoeia is: 'The bees __________ and the brook gurgled.'

buzzed

The effect of onomatopoeia is it enriches the text by creating a __________ experience for the reader.

sensory

An __________ is a combination of contradictory terms.

oxymoron

An example of an oxymoron is: 'Deafening __________.'

silence

The effect of an oxymoron is it provokes thought and emphasizes a __________ in descriptions.

point of contrast

An __________ is a phrase where the meaning is not deduced from the literal interpretation of the words.

idiom

An example of an idiom is: 'Kick the __________' means to die.

bucket

The effect of an idiom is it conveys cultural __________ and can add color to language.

nuances

__________ is a figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or vice versa.

Synecdoche

An example of synecdoche is: 'All __________ on deck.'

hands

The effect of synecdoche is it provides clarity and emphasis on certain __________ of a situation.

aspects

__________ is the substitution of the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated.

Metonymy

An example of metonymy is: 'The __________ issued a statement.'

White House

The effect of metonymy is it provides a more vivid or __________ expression of ideas and enhances the richness of the language.

concise

Figures of speech often involve a departure from the __________ interpretation of words.

literal

The use of figures of speech can add __________ to both spoken and written communication.

depth

Metaphors can evoke an emotional __________ in the reader.

response

Similes rely on the words '__________' or 'as' to make comparisons.

like

Personification makes descriptions more __________ by attributing human characteristics.

engaging

Onomatopoeia provides sound __________, creating an immersive reading experience.

imagery

Hyperbole is often used in __________ to create a humorous effect.

comedy

Oxymorons can create a poignant __________ in literature by juxtaposing opposing ideas.

contrast

Idioms often require cultural __________ to be understood fully.

context

Metonymy can simplify complex ideas by using __________ associations.

cultural

Synecdoche highlights important aspects by using specific terms to stand in for the __________.

whole