A
An exaggeration
Ex. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse
Hyperbole
A direct comparison between two things without using like or as
Metaphor
The knife is as sharp as a razor
Similie
The use of words that imitates a sound
Onomatopoeia
The use of the same word or words
Repetition
The use of an object to represent something else
Symbolism
A broad category that includes figures of speech as well as sound devices and imagery
Figurative language
A good cook could cook as many cookies as a good cook who could cook cookies.
Alliteration
A word or phrase used in a nonliteral sense for a specific effect
Figure of speech
An expression that means something different from the literal meaning of the words in the expression
Ex. I'm all ears or Let's call it a day
Idiom
Living in a dormitory is like a candy bar. The freedom is sweet, but you can run into some nuts.
Anaolgy
An expression that gives human characteristics to nonhuman or inanimate objects
Personification
Words that appeal to a reader's senses and give the reader a mental picture
Imagery
An expression that combines contradictory words, such as cold fire or organized chaos
Oxymoron
The same or similar sounds at the end of words
Rhyme
Words or phrases that are inoffensive or kinder to replace offensive, harsh, or hurtful words
Ex. "Passed away" instead of "died"
Euphemism
Patterns of beat using accented and unaccented syllables
Rhythm
The repetition of similar vowel sounds within a sentence or phrase
Assonance
The repetition of similar consonant sounds within a sentence or phrase
Consonance
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance
Allusion
John is summoned into his boss's office. Since John has worked especially hard this month and has broken sale records, he is expecting a raise. When he goes into the boss's office, he finds that he is being fired.
Irony
Placement of two or more similar grammatical elements side by side for emphasis
Juxtaposition
Techniques used by authors to convey meaning through the use of sounds of chosen words
Sound devices
A situation or a statement that contains seemingly contradictory ideas
Paradox
A play on words which sound the same or similar which is usually used for comic effect
Pun