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
