Figurative Language

Alliteration The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence.

Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."

Allusion A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

Example: "Don't act like a Romeo in front of her." (This is an allusion to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Metaphor A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things by stating that one thing is another, often used to create meaning and enhance understanding.
Example: "Time is a thief" (implying that time steals moments from our lives).

Assonance The repetition of a vowel sound in non-rhyming words.

Example: "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain."

Foreshadowing A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.

Example: A sudden, dark storm appearing at the beginning of a story often foreshadows a tragic event.

Hyperbole An exaggeration of an idea for the sake of emphasis.

Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Imagery The descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to create a vivid experience for the reader. By using imagery, authors enhance their writing, helping readers to visualize, feel, and understand the text on a deeper, more emotional level. There are several types of imagery, including: visual (sight), auditory (sound), gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), and tactile (touch)

Example: "The goldenrod, the bright crimson of the poppies, the deep purple of the violets—all danced in the gentle breeze."

Irony A surprising difference between what you expect to happen and what actually happens - —when something turns out to be the exact opposite of what you thought would happen, what was said, or what was understood.

Dramatic Irony When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Situational Irony When the opposite of what is expected to happen, happens.

Verbal Irony When what is said is the opposite of what is meant (often sarcasm)

Personification Giving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or animals.

Example: "The wind howled its lonely song."

Pun A play on words that have similar sounds but different meanings.

Example: "I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!"

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Example: "He was as brave as a lion."

Symbolism The use of objects or ideas to represent something else.

Example: A dove often symbolizes peace

Oxymoron A figure of speech that puts two opposite or contradictory words together to create a new, cool meaning. Example: Jumbo Shrimp

Onomatopoeia Words that describe what they sound like. Example: Buzz, hiss, bang.

Idiom An expression with a hidden meaning that you cannot figure out by looking at the individual words. It must be learned as a whole rather than translated word for word. Example: Cost an Arm and a Leg: Something is very expensive.