Poetry Flashcards - Deck#2: Figures of Speech

Question 1

SIMILE

Answer 1

A comparison between two unlike things (e.g. Quiet as a mouse)

Question 2

ALLUSION

Answer 2

A reference to something in history or literature (e.g. She had a Cinderella wedding)

Question 3

METAPHOR

Answer 3

An implied comparison between unlike things (e.g. Laughter is the best medicine)

Question 4

ALLITERATION

Answer 4

The repetition of initial sounds or letters (e.g. Peter Piper picked a peck of peppers)

Question 5

CONSONANCE

Answer 5

The repetition of end consonant sounds (e.g. first and last, odds and ends)

Question 6

ASSONANCE

Answer 6

The repetition of vowel sounds (e.g. “My words like silent raindrops fell”)

Question 7

PERSONIFICATION

Answer 7

Giving human characteristics to an animal, object, or idea. (e.g. “My alarm clock yells at me to wake up in the morning”)

Question 8

PARADOX

Answer 8

An apparent contradiction, which is nevertheless somehow true. (e.g. “If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing”)

Question 9

ONOMATOPOEIA

Answer 9

Words that represent sounds (e.g. buzz, click, snap, chop)

Question 10

OXYMORON

Answer 10

The combination of two terms with opposing meanings for a dramatic effect (e.g. burning cold, screaming whisper)

Question 11

OVERSTATEMENT/HYPERBOLE

Answer 11

An extreme exaggeration that is used for effect (e.g. “I’ve told you a hundred times”, “The suspense is killing me”)

Question 12

PUN

Answer 12

Play on words - A humorous way to use a phrase

Question 13

SYMBOL

Answer 13

Roughly defined as something that means more than what it is (e.g. A wedding ring is a sign of commitment, love, honor, etc.)

Question 14

UNDERSTATEMENT

Answer 14

Saying less than what is meant, for effect (e.g You win $10 million in a lottery and you tell a news reporter “I am delighted”)