FIGURES of SPEECH

COMMON CORE STANDARD

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that has a meaning other than the literal meaning.

EXAMPLES:

Similes

Metaphors

Alliteration

Onomatopoeia

Personification

Hyperbole

SIMILES ~ METAPHORS

What is a simile? A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." Examples:

  • As wise as an owl
  • Eats like a pig
  • As slippery as an eel
  • Like peas in a pod


What is a metaphor? A metaphor compares two unlike things or ideas. Examples:

  • She is a night owl.
  • He is an ogre.
  • Time is money.
  • Her teeth are white pearls.

ALLITERATION ~ ONOMATOPOEIA

What is alliteration? Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning sounds of neighboring words. Examples:

  • She sells seashells.
  • Which wrist watches are Swiss wrist watches?
  • Six slippery snails, slid slowly seaward.


What is onomatopoeia? Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates, resembles or suggests the sound that it describes. Examples:

  • Click
  • Buzz
  • Oink

PERSONIFICATION ~ HYPERBOLE

What is personification? Personification is giving human qualities to non-living things or ideas. Examples:

  • The snowflakes danced in the storm.
  • Thunder grumbled all over town.
  • The wind howled all night.

What is hyperbole? Hyperbole uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Examples:

  • I’ve told you the same thing a million times!
  • That dress must cost a zillion dollars.
  • I could do this forever and ever.



IDIOMS

An idiom is a word or phrase that must not be taken literally. Examples:

  • “Break a leg” means good luck.
  • If you are a “ham” you overact.
  • “It takes two to tango” means that more than one person is at fault or involved.
  • "Pay the piper" means you need to face the consequences of your actions.

Irony is when there is a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between appearance and reality. Examples are:

  • “How nice!” she said, when I told her I had to work all weekend. (Verbal irony)
  • The audience knows the killer is hiding in a closet in a scary movie but the actors do not. (Dramatic irony)