Figure Of Speech Flashcards
The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables.
Ex. “You’ll never put a better bit of butter on your knife.”
ALLITERATION
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses to achieve an effect.
ANAPHORA
An opposition or contrast of ideas. Two opposite ideas are put together to achieve an contrasting effect.
ANTITHESIS
When you speak up into an object, an idea, or someone who doesn’t exist as if it is a living person.
Ex. “Hello darkness, my old friend I’ve come to talk with you again..” “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are..”
“Oh, pillow, thank you for being my shoulder when I’m alone.”
APOSTROPHE
Identity or similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words.
ASSONANCE
A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed.
Ex.”I flee who chases me, and chase who flees me.”. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” “Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.”
CHIASMUS
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or unpleasant. Ex. “Pre-loved” for second hand. “Passed away” instead of died. “Sanitation engineer” instead of garbage man. “Healthy” instead of fat.
EUPHENISM
An extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect. Ex.”I am so hungry I could eat a horse.” “I have a million things to do.” “If I can’t buy that new game, I will die.” “I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you till China and Africa meet.”
HYPERBOLE
The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.
A pilot with a fear of heights.
Ex. Saying “oh great” after failing the exam.
In horror movies, the audience aware that there is a killer in the house, but the character does not.
IRONY
A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. Ex. If a person is very intelligent, someone might say, “he’s not dumb.” or “he’s not unintelligent.” After someone hires you, you might say, “thank you ma’am, you won’t regret it.”
LITOTES
