Language Features Flashcards
Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.
“Her patience was her Achilles’ heel.”
“He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”
“This place is like a Garden of Eden.”
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. “The early bird catches the worm.” “Hear the mellow wedding bells” “The light of the fire is a sight.”
Connotation
The implied or suggested meaning associated with a word beyond its literal definition. “The word ‘childish’ has a negative connotation.” “‘Home’ suggests warmth and comfort.” “‘Economical’ sounds positive, unlike ‘cheap’.”
Diction
The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing. “The use of ‘thou’ gives a Shakespearean flavor.” “Her diction was full of archaic terms.” “The technical diction confused the layman.”
Euphemism
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt. “He passed away last year.” “We need to let you go.” “She’s between jobs.”
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. “I’ve told you a million times.” “This bag weighs a ton.” “He runs faster than the wind.”
Imagery
Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. “The golden sun poured warmth over the fields.” “The icy wind bit into my skin.” “The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.”
Irony
the use of words to conevey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. “A plumber’s house always has leaking pipes.” “The fire station burned down.” “A traffic jam when you’re already late.”
Metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. “Time is a thief.” “Her heart is a cold iron.” “The world’s a stage.”
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it represents. “The bees buzzed in the garden.” “The door creaked open.” “Balloons go pop.”
Oxymoron
A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. “Act naturally.” “Found missing.” “Seriously funny.”
Personification
The attribution of human characteristics to something nonhuman. “The wind whispered through the trees.” “Opportunity knocked on his door.” “The sun smiled down on us.”
Repetition
The action of repeating something that has already been said or written. “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” “And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go…” “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Rhetorical Question
A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer. “Is the pope Catholic?” “Do bears live in the woods?” “Is rain wet?”
Simile
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid. “As brave as a lion.” “She’s as busy as a bee.” “He slept like a log.”
