Figure of Speech Definitions

Metaphor � A figure of speech that is a comparison between

two unlike things in which one thing is said to be another thing.
(Her eyes are burning embers, she is very angry.)

Personification � A figure of speech in which a nonhuman thing

or quality is talked about as if it were human. (The trees were
guarding the entrance to the castle.)

Simile � A figure of speech that is a comparison between two

unlike things, using a words such as like, as, that or resembles.
(His hands are like ice cubes, they are really cold.)

Hyperbole � A figure of speech that is an extreme exaggeration.

(I�m so hungry I could eat a horse.)

Oxymoron � A figure of speech that puts two words or phrases

together that literally have opposite meanings, together they may
mean something completely different. (We had jumbo shrimp for
dinner.)

Idiom � A figure of speech in which a phrase is used that is not

intended to be taken literally, the literal meaning is nothing like
the intended meaning, they are always said the same way. (My dad
is a chip off the old block.)

Irony�A figure of speech in which the actual outcome is

different that the logically expected outcome. (We expect jails
to punish criminals, it is ironic that at some jails the prisoners
have more comforts than honest people.)

Literary Devices and More:

Alliteration � The repetition of the same or very similar
consonant sounds in words that are close together. (tongue
twisters) (Pam and Paula played patty-cake with Penny.) PPPPPPPP

Onomatopoeia � Words with sounds that echo their sense. (I

hiccupped and sneezed during class today.)

Rhyme � The repetition of accented vowel sounds and all sounds

following them in words close together. (Sam and Pam told Becky
to scram.)