Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Any language that is not intended to Any language that is not intended to be interpreted in a strict literal be interpreted in a strict literal sense.sense.

SimileSimile

A comparison of two very different A comparison of two very different things using the words,things using the words, like like oror asas..

e.g. The twins are as alike as e.g. The twins are as alike as two peas.two peas.

The girl’s hair is as soft as silk.The girl’s hair is as soft as silk.

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison of two very unlike A comparison of two very unlike things. The metaphor does not use things. The metaphor does not use like or as. It just makes a direct like or as. It just makes a direct comparison.comparison.

e.g. e.g. My sister is an angel.My sister is an angel. The road was a ribbon of moonlight.The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

AlliterationAlliteration

The repetition of a sound in a group The repetition of a sound in a group of words. The repetitious sounds add of words. The repetitious sounds add meaning to the line.meaning to the line.

E.g. E.g. The snake slithered slowly along the The snake slithered slowly along the

sandy shore.sandy shore.The kangaroo caught the colourful The kangaroo caught the colourful

kite.kite.

PersonificationPersonification

A figure of speech in which A figure of speech in which something non human is given something non human is given human qualities.human qualities.

e.g.e.g.The oleander trees nodded in unison.The oleander trees nodded in unison.The chair groaned when the sumo The chair groaned when the sumo

wrestler sat in it.wrestler sat in it.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

The use of a word whose sounds The use of a word whose sounds imitates or suggests its meaning.imitates or suggests its meaning.

e.g.e.g.Buzz, hiss, bang, splashBuzz, hiss, bang, splash

HyperboleHyperbole

The use of gross exaggeration to The use of gross exaggeration to prove a point.prove a point.

e.g. e.g. I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.This suitcase weighs a ton.This suitcase weighs a ton.

ForeshadowForeshadow

With this literary device the writer With this literary device the writer provides subtle hints about what is provides subtle hints about what is going to happen later.going to happen later.

ExampleExample

In Of Mice and Men the death of the In Of Mice and Men the death of the puppy foreshadows the death of puppy foreshadows the death of Curley’s wife.Curley’s wife.

IronyIrony

A contrast between what is stated A contrast between what is stated and what is really meant, or between and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what what is expected to happen and what actually happens.actually happens.

Two kinds of irony are Two kinds of irony are verbal ironyverbal irony and and dramatic irony.dramatic irony.

Verbal Irony – occurs when a writer Verbal Irony – occurs when a writer or speaker says one thing but means or speaker says one thing but means something entirely differentsomething entirely different

Dramatic Irony – occurs when the Dramatic Irony – occurs when the reader or audience perceives reader or audience perceives something that a character does not something that a character does not know, e.g. the audience knows Juliet know, e.g. the audience knows Juliet is not dead in is not dead in Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet but but Romeo does not.Romeo does not.

SymbolismSymbolism

Something that represents Something that represents something else beyond itselfsomething else beyond itself

E.g.E.g. For the children, summer meant For the children, summer meant

paradise.paradise.The rose he gave her was a sign of The rose he gave her was a sign of

his love.his love.

OxymoronOxymoron

The bringing together of two The bringing together of two contradictory terms.contradictory terms.

E.g.E.g.““Oh, loving hate!” she cried.Oh, loving hate!” she cried.She ordered jumbo shrimp for lunch.She ordered jumbo shrimp for lunch.

AssonanceAssonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in The repetition of vowel sounds in stressed syllables containing stressed syllables containing dissimilar consonant sounds.dissimilar consonant sounds.

E.g. Ah, but a man’s reach should E.g. Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his graspexceed his grasp

ConsonanceConsonance

The repetition of consonant sounds in The repetition of consonant sounds in stressed syllables containing stressed syllables containing dissimilar vowel soundsdissimilar vowel sounds

E.g. Hot, heatE.g. Hot, heat

Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

A line of verse that contain five A line of verse that contain five iambsiambs

(an unstressed syllable followed by a (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable)stressed syllable)

E.g. For thou/ art with/ me here/ E.g. For thou/ art with/ me here/ u/pon the banksu/pon the banks

Snow DaySnow Day

The snow fell like a fluffy blanket.The snow fell like a fluffy blanket. It lulled the dark earth to sleep.It lulled the dark earth to sleep.This warm blanket enveloped themThis warm blanket enveloped themWho hid from the hideous heat. Who hid from the hideous heat.

Blank VerseBlank Verse

Poetry written in unrhymed iambic Poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter lines.pentameter lines.

QuatrainQuatrain

Four lines of verse that express a Four lines of verse that express a complete thought and sometimes complete thought and sometimes rhyme.rhyme.

ToneTone

The reflection of a writer’s attitude or The reflection of a writer’s attitude or mood, and manner of writingmood, and manner of writing

e,.g. Tone can be humorous, sad, e,.g. Tone can be humorous, sad, serious, happy, reflective, etc.serious, happy, reflective, etc.

Rhyme SchemeRhyme Scheme

A pattern of rhymes in a poem.A pattern of rhymes in a poem.

E.g. It is not only the rose,E.g. It is not only the rose,

It is not only the bird.It is not only the bird.

Not only where the rainbow Not only where the rainbow glowsglows

Nor in the song of woman heard.Nor in the song of woman heard.

Rhyme SchemeRhyme Scheme

A pattern of rhymes in a poem.A pattern of rhymes in a poem.

E.g. Twinkle, twinkle little starE.g. Twinkle, twinkle little star AA

How I wonder what you areHow I wonder what you are AA

Up above the world so highUp above the world so high BB

Like a diamond in the skyLike a diamond in the sky BB

StanzaStanza

A group of lines forming a unit in a A group of lines forming a unit in a poem.poem.

E.g. E.g. The Road Not TakenThe Road Not TakenTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;To where it bent in the undergrowth;

CoupletCouplet

Two lines of verse with similar end Two lines of verse with similar end rhyme that usually express a rhyme that usually express a complete thought.complete thought.

E.g.E.g.As graceful as morning flowerAs graceful as morning flowerComes the rain a gentle showerComes the rain a gentle shower

It fills the quench of every thirstIt fills the quench of every thirstWith nature’s bloom ready to burstWith nature’s bloom ready to burst