Figurative Language

Allusion

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.: an allusion to Shakespeare or a classical allusion (even a pop culture allusion); when these references are NOT CONCRETE, they can be considered figurative. 

Simile

A figure of speech that involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Personification

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: a brave handsome tree fell with a creaking rending cry--the author is giving a tree human qualities.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. A string of syllables the author has made up to represent the way a sound really sounds. Example: crackle, sizzle, pop, swish

Hyperbole (overstatement)

An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions; calling London a “fen of stagnant waters”

Idioms

Language-specific expressions. Example: “I’m going to carry granny to the store.” Explanation: She isn’t really going to carry her, she is going to drive her to the store. (Not all idioms are figurative)

Metonymy 

a figure of speech in which an object or idea is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it, as opposed to by its own name. Metonymy involves a word or phrase substituting or standing in for another word or phrase. For example, the pen is mightier than the sword.; referring to the American advertising industry as “Madison Avenue”;  “on the clock” to represent working

Synecdoche

a figure of speech in which you use a part of something to stand for the whole thing or the whole for a part. If your parents buy you a car and you say that you just got a new set of wheels, you're using synecdoche; Examples: All hands on deck; “the frost is on the pumpkin; the hay is in the barn” – these parts of early winter represent the concept of winter itself

Paradox

A device in which a seeming contradiction is revealed to be truthful (generally relying on context) Example: “the child is father of the man”; “I was never as wise as the day I was born.”

Oxymoron

A two-word contradiction (maybe three words rarely). Example: hated lover; jumbo shrimp

Apostrophe 

A speaker addresses a real or imagined listener who is not present. Example: “Bright Star, I wish I were as steadfast as thou art.”

Synesthesia

Describing one feeling or perception with words that are usually used for a totally different or opposite feeling or perception. Example: a darkness visible; a melodious plot of ground

Pun or Paronomasia

Wordplay which reveals that words with different meanings have similar or even identical sounds. Example: “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana”; “I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.” 

Litotes and Meiosis (Understatement)

Deliberate underplaying or undervaluing a thing for effect, generally comic or caustic; to say less than the situation requires. Example: I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain. 

Zeugma

 Use of a word to modify or govern two or more words although its use may be grammatically or logically correct with only one. Example: She broke his car and his spirit.

Vehicle

 is the literal details of the figure of speech or symbol;

Tenor

is the attitudes and connotations associated with the vehicle/object/details of the figure.

“Feeling like a million bucks”:

 vehicle = million dollar (money/wealth); tenor = joy 

Imagery

Language that appeals to the senses. This is not figurative language but is often encased in it. There are several types: visual (sight), auditory (sound), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), Kinetic (movement), (kinesthetic human movement))

using the language of one thing to talk about something else

Metaphor

Madison Avenue

talking about the entire advertising industry; metonymy

blending of the senses

Synesthesia

a bright noise

Synesthesia

verbal irony, say something means something else

Litotes and Meiosis

pretty person says my hair is so bad!

Litotes and Meiosis

tiny little tumor

Litotes and Meiosis

She broke his car and his spirit

Zeugma

irony and contrast

Zeugma