Figures of Speech
THE COMPARISONS
Simile Metaphor Personification
Direct Indirect Human traits
comparison Comparison to inanimate
LIKE/AS objects
“Her mind was like the “The curtain of night”
tiny boxes, one within “All the world’s a “The shadow of the
the other, that come stage.” moon danced on the
from the puzzling lake”
East.”
“The snow fell like
billions of
breadcrumbs.”
Exaggerations and Understatements
Hyperbole Euphemism
Over Exaggeration Understatement
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” “He passed away/departed = died”
“Ethnic cleansing = genocide”
OTHER
Pun Rhetorical Question
Witty play on words No answer expected.
where two or more Obvious/immediately
possible meanings provided
occur on a single word – “Can fish swim”
humorous effect
“Being struck by lightning is really a
shocking experience “
Literally - is when you get shocked
Figuratively – terrible
Sound Devices
THE COMPARISONS
Simile Metaphor Personification
Direct Indirect Human traits
comparison Comparison to inanimate
LIKE/AS objects
“Her mind was like the “The curtain of night”
tiny boxes, one within “All the world’s a “The shadow of the
the other, that come stage.” moon danced on the
from the puzzling lake”
East.”
“The snow fell like
billions of
breadcrumbs.”
Exaggerations and Understatements
Hyperbole Euphemism
Over Exaggeration Understatement
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” “He passed away/departed = died”
“Ethnic cleansing = genocide”
OTHER
Pun Rhetorical Question
Witty play on words No answer expected.
where two or more Obvious/immediately
possible meanings provided
occur on a single word – “Can fish swim”
humorous effect
“Being struck by lightning is really a
shocking experience “
Literally - is when you get shocked
Figuratively – terrible
Sound Devices
