Figures of Speech Why do we need to

Figures of Speech

Why do we need to study figures of speech? n Knowing figures of speech helps you better understand a poem or story. In other words, it helps you read between the lines.

Hyperbole An obvious exaggeration intended to amuse or used for emphasis. n For example: n I’ve been waiting for ages. n I ate a ton of chips for lunch n

Alliteration The repetition of the same or similar sounds at the beginning of words. n For example: n She sells seashells by the seashore. n I am the living legacy to the leader of the band n

Metaphor A comparison between two things by saying one thing is another. It does NOT use the words “like” or “as” n For example: n He was a lion in battle. n Her coal-black hair n

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using key words such as “like”, “as”, “similar to”, or “than”. n For example: n He is smart as a whip. n She is as cold as ice. n

Personification Giving nonhuman things or abstract ideas human qualities. n For example: n The leaves are dancing in the wind. n The rock gurgled. n

Apostrophe To address something/someone who is absent, dead or unable to answer n For example: n n Little flower, why are you smiling?

Metonymy One word is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. n For example: n n "The B. L. T. left without paying. “ n (waitress n referring to a customer) The pen is mightier than the sword. n The word “pen” is used for the written word and “sword” is used for military power.

How am I going to remember all these terms? HAMSPAM! n H – Hyperbole n A – Alliteration n M – Metaphor n S – Simile n P – Personification n A – Apostrophe n M - Metonymy n

More figures of speech We’re not done yet

Oxymoron Two directly opposite words placed together. n For example: n Pretty ugly n Bitter sweet n

Onomatopoeia Words are used to imitate sounds n For example: n Buzz n Hiss n Splat n Thump n

Practice – Name the figure of speech in each of the following sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. She was a picture sitting there in her pretty pink dress. You stupid door, why don’t you just stay shut for a change? The days of our lives are like the sands slipping through the hourglass. She’s lost a ton of weight on that new Jenny Craig diet. I was so hungry I ate the whole refrigerator. The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings.

Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. She was a picture sitting there in her pretty pink dress. Metaphor, Alliteration You stupid door, why don’t you just stay shut for a change? Apostrophe The days of our lives are like the sands slipping through the hourglass. Simile She’s lost a ton of weight on that new Jenny Craig diet. Hyperbole I was so hungry I ate the whole refrigerator. Hyperbole The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings. Metonymy

More practice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Oh Shakespeare, I wish you could help me with this poetry. The buzz saw snarled and snapped in the wind. He is like a bull in a china shop. The little dog laughed. The honeybee buzzed. I love jumbo shrimp.

Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Oh Shakespeare, I wish you could help me with this poetry. Apostrophe The buzz saw snarled and snapped in the wind. Personification, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia He is like a bull in a china shop. Simile The little dog laughed. Personification. The honeybee buzzed. Onomatopoeia I love jumbo shrimp. Oxymoron

Your turn n Write nine sentences. Each sentence should contain one figure of speech.