Figures of Speech Based on Contrast

Antithesis

A figure of speech characterized by strongly contrasting statements

Paradox

A single statement which seems to contradict itself, but upon closer inspection may be well-founded or true

Verbal Irony

The use of tone to convey the opposite of what is said (ie. sarcasm)

Situational Irony

When a situation turns out differently from what one would normally expect—though often the twist is oddly appropriate (ie. deep sea diver drowning in a bathtub)

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows information that the character does not

Hyperbole

A deliberate, extravagant, & often outrageous exaggeration or overstatement (ie. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”)

Understatement

Words that are less strong than expected or appropriate are used

• Can result in more emphasis on the subject

Euphemism

A form of understatement in which a mild, indirect, or vague expression is substituted for a harsh, blunt, rude, or crude one