Metaphor – (Greek- “carries over”) a
direct comparison of two things that are
largely dissimilar, but have one common
characteristic / non-literal comparison.
(Love is a rose. He is a lion in battle).
Mixed metaphor = illogical mixture of two
or more metaphors, “The weed of greed is
a drink he often guzzles.”



Metonomy – the name of one thing in place of
another. (“White House” for “President” /“Crown”
for King/ “Hollywood” for the movie industry).
“The White House favors universal Healthcare”
“Hollywood produces too many violent movies.”
Synecdoche – names the part for the whole, “bread”
for “food” or “copper” for “penny.”
“I need a job so I can put bread on the table. “
“I love my new set of wheels.”



Simile - Using like or as to compare things.
(Your smile glimmers like the sun).
Life is like a roller coaster ride.


Personification - Speaking of non-human
things in human terms. (The yellow leaves
waltz to the whispering wind's melody).
Alliteration: repetition of consonant sounds
(common in poetry)

Symbol - One thing “represents” or stands for
something else. (The flag or an eagle could
represent freedom; water could represent
purity or baptism; a raven foreshadows evil).
Also, mental associations, suggestions, or
extensions.
Allegory – A kind of literary work in
which the characters stand for certain
ideas. Stories with two levels (literal and
symbolic). “Ugly Duckling” / Scarlet
Letter