Of Mice & Men FIgurative Language | 16 Figurative Language Techniques

Of Mice & Men FIgurative Language | 16 Figurative Language Techniques

METAPHOR

A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two relatively unlikely things. E.g. “My nephew is a monkey! He climbs on everything.”

SIMILE

A comparison between two unlike things, usually using “like” or “as.” E.g. “She dances like a chicken on hot coals.”

PERSONIFICATION

Giving human qualities to an animal, object, or abstract idea. E.g. “The chocolate cake was calling my name.”

HYPERBOLE

An exaggerated statement used to emphasize an idea or make a point. E.g. “I’ve told you to clean your room a million times.”

ONOMATOPOEIA

Words that imitate the sounds they refer to. E.g. “The guitar twanged as he thumped on it.”

EUPHEMISM

A softer, less harsh expression used instead of one considered too blunt or unpleasant. E.g. “His mother passed away last year.”

ALLITERATION

Repetition of the same initial letter or sound in adjacent or closely connected words.

ASSONANCE

The repetition of vowel sounds. E.g. “Try to light the fire by the ottoman over there.”

PARADOX

A seemingly contradictory statement that actually contains truth. E.g. “Deep down you are actually quite shallow.”

ANAPHORA

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. E.g. “Every man, every woman, every child, should be loved.”

SYNECDOCHE

A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or the whole represents a part. E.g. “I see many new faces here tonight.”

PUN

A play on words, often using multiple meanings or similar sounds. E.g. “A horse is a very stable animal.”

OXYMORON

Two contradictory terms placed side by side. E.g. “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

ALLUSION

An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. E.g. “He is romantic; quite the Romeo!”

IRONY

• Verbal: Saying the opposite of what you mean• Situational: An unexpected contrast between outcome and expectation• Dramatic: The audience knows more than the charactersE.g. “That hairdresser really needs a haircut.” (Situational)

ANALOGY

A comparison between two things to show a shared relationship. Different from a metaphor/simile because it compares sets of relationships. E.g. “As a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.”