Figurative Lang. Definitions
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of a word
Alliteration
Gently smiling, the mother tenderly tucked the covers around her child.
Nurturing, cheerful, calm
Theresa stared blankly at the photograph. She and her ex-best friend Kristina were in it, riding a rollercoaster. They were smiling. Those were better days. Theresa was happier then.
Nostalgic, longing, remorseful
A section in a history book describing the conditions and causes of the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1930s.
To inform
Life is a highway
Metaphor
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Simile
"Give me my toy!" Tyler yelled at his little brother, Stephen. "No, I was using it first!" Stephen shouted back. The TV was blaring loudly in the background, but neither boy was watching it.
Overwhelmed, irritated
"I am so proud to say farewell to our graduating class!" Principal Jones said triumphantly. The students threw their hats high in the air and cheered.
Celebratory, proud
The story of a young woman who, after the death of her grandfather, quit her job in accounting and returned home to help her grandmother.
To entertain
Destiny is calling me
Personification
A comparison NOT using "like" or "as"
Metaphor
Trey looked at the downpour outside and threw his baseball glove on the couch with a sigh. He knew that the afternoon game would most likely be cancelled.
Disappointed, discontented
Tom took the trophy, but it didn't feel good. He knew that he didn't deserve it. He had cheated. The others didn't know now, but they might find out some day.
Disapproving, admonishing
A politician's speech about how homes should be provided to families who cannot afford them
To persuade
Oh baby, baby
How was I supposed to know
That something wasn't right here?
Rhetorical question
A statement that combines two words or phrases with opposite meanings
Oxymoron
Gary's hands were calloused, not soft like his brother's hands. Gary carried shingles onto roofs and swung hammers all day. Meanwhile, his brother sat in an air-conditioned office and typed on a computer.
Resentful, envious
She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she searched the room for the unknown danger that awaited her
Dread, suspense, fear
Siri is the most advanced digital assistant on the market, giving users the power to control their phones with just a simple command.
To persuade
I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Hyperbole
A reference to another work; usually a myth, religious story, or a famous piece of media
Allusion
What is the definition of mood?
What is the definition of tone?
The author's attitude towards the subject
Did you know that there are 206 bones in the human body? However, you didn't always have that many. At one point in your life, you had 275-300 bones!
To inform
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
Allusion