Figures of speech Flashcards
What is this an example of?
As light as a feather
Simile
Mixed metaphor
Incompatible terms are used to describe the same object/event
An extended metaphor is…
Reoccurring
This is an example of ___?
Finality hung in the air
Personification
Allusion
A direct or indirect referral to a particular aspect
i.e. a poet alluding to religious themes
Apostrophe
where a no longer living person/object/idea is referred
to as though living
This is an example of ___?
Oh Leonardo if you could see your Mona Lisa today!
Apostrophe
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds
Longer vowel sounds are used to ___
Slow the pace of a poem/passage and temper the mood
Shorter vowel sounds ____
- Speed up the pace
- Create a joyful mood
- add suspense
What is the purpose of rhyme?
- used for effect
- builds rhythm in the poem
Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate or reproduce real-life sounds or actions
Antithesis
Compares and contrasts ideas or statements within a sentence
Oxymoron
Places 2 seemingly contradictory words next to each other
The girl let out a silent scream of terror.
Oxymoron
Paradox
A seemingly absurd, contradictory statement which when analysed is found to be true
Sometimes one needs to be cruel to be kind.
Paradox
Situational irony
When the opposite of what is expected occurs
Dramatic irony
When the audience has knowledge of something the actors are unaware of
Irony
Implies the opposite of what is said/ the intention is for the opposite to be understood
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Antithesis
Sarcasm
Where one thing is said, but something else is intended
Used with the express purpose of mocking/humiliating/insulting another
Zombies eat brains, so you would be safe in an apocalypse.
Sarcasm
“What lovely weather we are having!” she remarked as she peered through the window at the blizzard.
Irony
Satire aims to ___
Change a situation by educating and entertaining the audience using humour
Satire
Irony or sarcasm used to highlight or ridicule human/social/political weaknesses
Parody
The imitation or exaggeration of other text types to create humour
Appropriation
Using part of original texts in a different context to create humour
Epigram
A brief, pointed statement which often contains humour or irony. It may also contain a deeper meaning.
I am not young enough to know everything.
Epigram
Hyperbole
An over-exaggeration not meant to be taken literally
My Mom would kill me if I tried something like that!
Hyperbole
Litotes
Uses a negative and an opposite to understate what is intended
Julie is no ordinary girl.
Litotes
Euphemism
To express an unpleasant/uncomfortable idea in a more tactful/sensitive way
The purpose of euphemism
- To soften a blow
- To be politically correct
- To protect someone’s feelings
We had to have our dog put to sleep.
Euphemism
Innuendo
A disapproving remark which hints at something without saying it directly
I admire your confidence to wear something so revealing
Innuendo
Climax
A build up of ascending ideas
I came, I saw I conquered
Climax
Anti-Climax
A build up of ideas with a flat or unexpected final statement
He has known the terror of war, he has seen natural disasters, he has been to single bars.
Anti-climax
Comparison figures of speech
- simile
- metaphor (extended and mixed too)
- personification
- apostrophe
- allusion
Sound devices
- alliteration
- assonance
- onomatopoeia
- rhyme
- rhythm
Contradiction figures of speech
- antithesis
- oxymoron
- paradox
- irony
- sarcasm
- satire
- parody
- appropriation
- epigram
Exaggeration figures of speech
- hyperbole
- litotes
- euphemism
- innuendo
- climax
- anti-climax/bathos
Puns
a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word
Metonymy
the substitution of the name of an attribute in place of the thing
i.e. suits for businessmen
Spoonerism
a verbal error in which the speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words
i.e. He hissed is mystery lesson
Malapropism
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one
i.e. electrical vote instead of electoral vote
Synecdoche
a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa
i.e. sails represent ships
