ž  A
hyperbole is an exaggeration or
overstatement. It is often meant to be
humorous.
-This class is lasting forever!
-He inhaled his lunch.
ž  The
repetition of vowel sounds in a series
of words
-The fat cat lay down on the mat.
-He s too cool for school.
ž  Repetition
of consonant sounds within
words that are close together
Example: Jane tried to solve a riddle that
involved a fiddle in the middle of the road.
ž  The
repetition of the first consonant
sound in a word
-Sally sold seashells by the seashore
-Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
peppers
Authors often use alliteration in
character’s names.
ž  The
technique of repeating important
lines, words, or phrases of a poem for
effect.
-A refrain in a song…
Can t you see that I m the one who understands you
Been here all along why can t you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me
ž  A
comparison between two dissimilar
objects. Usually the words is, are, or
was are used.
-That test was a nightmare.
- You are no Van Gogh, my art teacher
told me.
ž  A
comparison between two objects
using like, as, or than .
-My dream played like a movie.
-Amy was as quiet as a mouse.
ž  Eliciting
images in the reader s mind
through sensory and concrete details.
-The young freckled boy creeps through
the freshly mowed lawn with his sleek,
black, cold BB gun in hopes of shooting
the plump blue jay sitting on the log
fence.
ž  The
repetition of ending sounds in words.
-What luck Chuck had that he didn t
wreck his truck.
-Chad s dad was mad, because Chad
was bad.
ž  Something
in a poem (a person, object,
animal, etc) that stands for something
larger than itself.
Examples: Eagle for U.S., Cross for
Christianity, Star of David for Judaism etc.
ž  The
use of words which imitate sound
-Crack, pop, buzz, fizzle
-When writing, italicize onomatopoeia
when you want it to represent sound
-Honk! Beep! Jan placed her
hands over her ears while her
mother drove through the traffic,
so she wouldn t have to listen to
the harsh sounds of car horns.
ž  Uses
figures of speech , not the literal
meaning of words
-Metaphors, similes, etc.
ž  Giving
inanimate or non-living objects
human characteristics.
-The shoes spoke to Lisa as she walked
through the department store.
-The answers for the test danced on the
tip of John s pencil, but he couldn t
force them onto the page.
ž  An
expression that is particular to a
group of people or culture.
ž  Not meant to be literal!!!!!
-It s raining cats and dogs.
-Why the long face?
-Break a leg.
ž  A
pun is a play on words
-I do it for the pun of it.
-Math teachers have lots of problems.
A pun is a very low form of humor.
-Shakespeare used them often!!
ž  A
figure of speech that combines two
words with opposite meanings.
-Even the word oxymoron is an
oxymoron: oxy is Greek for sharp and
moron is Greek for dull !
Examples: jumbo shrimp, act naturally,
calm storm, cold sweat, good grief
ž  A
literary work in which misconduct of
foolish action is attacked or made fun of
ž  Includes political cartoons
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Baby-New-Year.htm