Figurative Language Study Guide

Study Guide: Figurative Language and Related Terms

Definitions

• Figurative Language

  • Words that don’t mean exactly what they say.

• Verbal Irony

  • A situation in which someone says something, but means the opposite.

  • Example: Saying "Oh, great!" when something bad happens.

• Pun

  • A play on words that uses similar-sounding words or multiple meanings of a word for humorous or rhetorical effect.

  • Example: "I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough."

• Connotation

  • The emotional or cultural association with a word, beyond its literal definition.

  • Example: The word "home" connotes warmth and comfort, while “house” has a more neutral denotation.

• Denotation

  • The literal or primary meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

  • Example: The denotation of “snake” is a legless reptile, whereas the connotation might suggest treachery or deceit.

• Word Relationships

  • The various connections that words can have with each other in language, including synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.

• Allusion

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

  • Example: "He is a real Romeo with the ladies" alludes to Shakespeare’s character known for his romantic nature.

• Myth

  • A traditional story that explains natural events, human behavior, or cultural practices, often involving supernatural elements.

  • Example: Greek mythology includes stories about gods like Zeus and human heroes like Hercules.

• Theme

  • A central message or lesson conveyed in a literary work, reflecting the writer's insights about life and human nature.

  • Example: The theme of love and sacrifice in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

• Inference

  • A logical deduction or educated guess made based on clues from the text and prior knowledge.

  • Example: If a character is carrying an umbrella, one might infer that it is going to rain.

• Nuance

  • A subtle or slight difference in meaning, expression, or response.

  • Example: The differing uses of the word “hot” in various contexts (e.g., temperature vs. attractiveness).

• Metaphor

  • A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one is the other.

  • Example: "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from us without actually meaning it is a physical thief.

Additional Terms

• Simile

  • A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things using the words “like” or “as.”

  • Example: "Her smile was like sunshine."

• Hyperbole

  • An exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally.

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

• Idiom

  • A phrase or expression whose meaning is not literal and is unique to a language or culture.

  • Example: "Kick the bucket" means to die, not literally to kick a bucket.