Figurative Language Flashcards
To understand and be able to identify the types of figurative language
Figurative Language
A word or phrase that departs from everyday literal language for the sake of emphasis, comparison, clarity or freshness
works in conjunction with imagery to help paint a picture in the reader’s mind
Imagery
Use of figurative language to describe objects, actions, and ideas in a way that appeals to our physical senses.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis
Derived from a greek word meaning “overcasting.”
Irony
The 3 types of irony include
- VERBAL- the use of words to mean something different than they appear
- SITUATIONAL- the difference between what is expected to happen and what ACTUALLY happens
- DRAMATIC- when the audience is aware of something of which the character is not
Simile
a figure of speech that makes a comparison using “like” or “as”
showing similarities between two different things
Alliteration
a number of words having the same first consonant sound that occur close together in a series
Onomatopoeia
a word which mimics the sound it represents
unlike many words, onomatopoeia’s have a direct connection to the words they represent
some words have onomatopoeia in their name
-popcorn, tap shoes, clunker
Metaphor
a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two different things.
does NOT use “like” or “as”
latin origin meaning “to carry across.” A metaphor does just that; it carries a shared quality across two distinct things.
Connotation
Connotation is the implied meaning of a word.
It is the opposite of denotation which is the literal meaning of the word.
Personification
Giving human traits to an idea, thing, or animal
Allusion
An allusion is a reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other literary work with which the reader is presumably familiar.
Paradox
A statement that is self-contradictory or silly, but makes sense at the same time
used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to common ideas.
used to make a reader think over an idea.
Oxymoron
two opposite ideas joined to create an effect
usually a combination of an adjective and a noun with opposite meanings, such as “cruel kindness”, or “living death”
Oxymoron v. Paradox
A paradox consists of a sentence or group of sentences
an oxymoron does not make literal sense
An oxymoron is a combination of two opposite words.
a paradox contradicts common ideas, but still expresses a logical idea
“While the cups do their soft-shoeing, I’ll be bubbling! I’ll be brewing!”
Personification
“You must be as swift as the coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon…mysterious as the dark side of the moon.”
Simile
“Shining, shimmering, splendid…”
“For there’s no man as burly or brawny…not a bit of him’s scraggly or scrawny!”
Alliteration
“He’s so fluffy, I’m gonna die!”
“I could eat a whole elephant.”
Hyperbole
“Life is your restaurant and I;m your maitre d’ !”
Connotation
The woman is awfully pretty.
Oxymoron
Nobody goes to T&M Deli anymore – it’s too crowded.
Paradox
His smile is my kryptonite
Allusion
The shadow of the moon danced on the lake.
Personification
Brenna was feeling blue. Kelly was green with envy.
Connotation
All the world’s a stage…
Metaphor
Ahem, boom, bang, choo choo, bark, ha-ha!
Onomatopoeia
A big bully beat up the baby boy.
Alliteration
The classroom lights were as bright as the sun.
simile
The new teacher is as kind hearted as a wolf.
Irony
My grandmother is as old as the hills
Hyperbole
The old man took the handful of dust and sifted it through his fingers.
Imagery
The sun was shining brightly in the sky.
Imagery
The bright yellow sun beamed down on my shoulders, wrapping me in a blanket of sunshine
Imagery
My backpack weighs a ton
Hyperbole
My dad will kill me if he finds out I failed my math test
Hyperbole
What nice weather we’re having!”
Verbal Irony
Well, look who decided to join us!
Verbal Irony
A fire station burning down
Situational Irony
A traffic jam on the way to a protest against traffic congestion
Situational Irony
Mulan
Dramatic Irony
The audience knows that the most stubborn and bravest warrior is actually a woman
Horror movies
When a victim enters a room where the audience know a killer is hiding
As busy as a bee
Simile
As cold a ice
Simile
“Cream of the crop”
Alliteration
“out of order”
Alliteration
Belch
Onomatopoeia
Clang
Onomatopoeia
Time is money
Metaphor
A diamond in the rough
Metaphor
He’s such a dog
Connotation
That woman is a dove at heart
Connotation
The sun smiled down on us
Personification
The old house seemed to sigh at night
Personification
He tapped into the strength of Hercules to overcome his battle with addiction
Allusion
To my dog, our neighborhood park is the Garden of Eden
Allusion
My only love sprung from my only hate
Paradox
less is more
Paradox
Only choice
Oxymoron
Civil War
Oxymoron
