Metaphor
A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by saying one is the other.
Example: “Time is a thief.”
Simile
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."
Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Personification
Attributing human qualities to non-human entities or objects.
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a phrase.
Example: “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.”
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it represents.
Example: “The bees buzzed in the garden.”
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.
Example: “Bittersweet” or “deafening silence.”
Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn't make sense if you take it literally.
“It's raining cats and dogs,” meaning it’s raining heavily.
Imagery
Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)
Example: “The golden sun set behind the jagged mountains, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.”
Ethos
Establishing credibility or ethical appeal to convince the audience of the speaker's character or credibility. Example: "As a doctor with over 20 years of experience, I recommend this treatment."
Pathos
Appealing to the audience's emotions to elicit feelings that lead to persuasion.Example: "Imagine the joy of a child opening their first book, the wonder in their eyes."
Logos
Using logic, facts, and reasoning to persuade the audience. Example: "Statistics show that 90% of people who exercise regularly live longer."
Repetition
Repeating words or phrases to emphasize a point. Example: "We must act now! We must act decisively! We must act together!"
Rhetorical Questions
Asking questions for effect, rather than to elicit an answer. Example: "Isn't it time we took a stand for our future?"
Anaphora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: "Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better."
Anecdotes
Short, personal stories used to illustrate a point or engage the audience. Example: "When I was a child, I learned the importance of honesty through a small lie I told my mother."