Figures of speech

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things/ideas using 'like, as, or so.'

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things/ideas without using 'like, as, or so.'

Personification

A figure of speech that gives human qualities, actions, or feelings to non-human things/ideas.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point.

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech where the word imitates the natural sound it represents.

Alliteration

A figure of speech that repeats the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words.

Assonance

A figure of speech that repeats vowel sounds within nearby words.

Consonance

A figure of speech that repeats consonant sounds within or at the end of nearby words.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two opposite or contradictory words side by side.

Paradox

A figure of speech that expresses a statement which seems contradictory but reveals a truth.

Irony

A figure of speech where the intended meaning is opposite of what is said or expected.

Pun

A figure of speech that plays on words to create humor or a double meaning.

Example of Simile

Her smile was as bright as the sun.

Example of Metaphor

Time is a thief.

Example of Personification

The wind whispered through the trees.

Example of Hyperbole

I’ve told you a million times.

Example of Onomatopoeia

The bees buzzed loudly.

Example of Alliteration

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Example of Assonance

Hear the mellow wedding bells.

Example of Oxymoron

Bittersweet.