Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at Onomatopoeia: The use of words that imitate the
the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. sounds they describe. Example: "Buzz," "hiss,"
Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled "crash."
peppers."
Oxymoron: A figure of speech that combines two
Antithesis: A figure of speech that uses contrasting contradictory terms. Example: "Living dead" or
ideas or words in a parallel structure. Example: "deafening silence."
"Love is sweet, but it can also be bitter."
Paradox: A statement that seems contradictory, but
Apostrophe: A direct address to an absent person may be true. Example: "This statement is false."
or thing, or to an abstract concept. Example: "Oh,
Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" Personification: Giving human qualities to
inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Example: "The
Circumlocution: The use of many words to express wind whispered secrets through the trees."
an idea that could be expressed more concisely.
Example: "Instead of saying 'he was a tall man', you Pleonasm: The use of more words than necessary
might say 'he was a man of considerable stature.'" to express an idea. Example: "The free gift is free."
Epigram: A short, witty statement expressing a wise Pun: A play on words using words that sound alike
or clever observation. Example: "The only way to do but have different meanings. Example: "I used to be
great work is to love what you do." a baker, but I couldn't make ends meet."
Hyperbole: Exaggeration used to emphasize a point Simile: A figure of speech that compares two unlike
or create a humorous effect. Example: "I'm so things using "like" or "as". Example: "He is as strong
hungry I could eat a horse." as an ox."
Irony: A literary device where the intended Synecdoche: A figure of speech that uses a part to
meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning. represent the whole or the whole to represent a
Example: "It's a beautiful day to go for a walk," said part. Example: "Wheels" to refer to a car.
the person with a broken leg.
Understatement: A statement that makes
Litotes: A figure of speech that uses something seem less important than it really is.
understatement to emphasize a point. Example: Example: "I'm a little bit tired" after running a
"He's not the sharpest tool in the shed." marathon.
Euphemism: A mild or indirect expression used to Foreshadowing: A literary device that hints at
replace a word or phrase considered harsh or events that will occur later in the story. Example: A
unpleasant. Example: "Passed away" instead of character mentioning a storm brewing as a
"died." metaphor for the conflict to come.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two Imagery: The use of vivid language to create a
unlike things without using "like" or "as." Example: picture in the reader's mind. Example: "The sun was
"He is a lion on the battlefield." a fiery ball of orange in the sky."
Metonymy: A figure of speech that substitutes the
name of an attribute or an adjunct for the name of
the thing meant. Example: "The crown" to refer to
the monarchy.
