This document provides an overview of figures of speech for an English summer enrichment program. It defines and gives examples of common figures of speech, including simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, consonance, assonance, oxymoron, and paradox. The document concludes with an activity that asks students to identify the figures of speech in sample sentences.
3. TOPIC: Figures of
Speech
What is a Figure of Speech?
Figures of speech are words or phrases
that are used in a way that is not intended
to be literal, but rather to create clarity,
interest, or rhetorical effect. Figures of
speech are used all the time, even in our
every day language. In fact, chances are
you’ve already said several figures of
speech today.
4. TOPIC: SIMILE
What is a SIMILE?
A stated comparison (usually formed
with "like" or "as") between two
fundamentally dissimilar things that have
certain qualities in common.
EXAMPLES:
1. Roberto was white as a sheet after he walked
out of the horror movie.
2. Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
5. TOPIC: METAPHOR
What is a METAPHOR?
An implied comparison between two
dissimilar things that have something in
common.
EXAMPLES:
1. All the world's a stage.
2. Bob is a hungry wolf, he can eat a lot.
6. TOPIC: HYPERBOLE
What is a HYPERBOLE?
An extravagant statement; the use of
exaggerated terms for the purpose of
emphasis or heightened effect.
EXAMPLES:
1. I have a ton of things to do when I get home.
2. He's running faster than the wind.
7. TOPIC:
PERSONIFICATION
What is a PERSONIFICATION?
A figure of speech in which an
inanimate object or abstraction is endowed
with human qualities or abilities.
EXAMPLES:
1. That kitchen knife will take a bite out of your
hand if you don't handle it safely.
2. Lightning danced across the sky.
8. TOPIC: ONOMATOPOEIA
What is a ONOMATOPOIEA?
The use of words that imitate the
sounds associated with the objects or
actions they refer to.
EXAMPLES:
1. The clap of thunder went bang and scared my
poor dog.
2. It is not unusual for a dog to bark when
visitors arrive.
9. TOPIC: ALLITERATION
What is a ALLITERATION?
The repetition of an initial consonant
sound.
EXAMPLES:
1. She sells seashells by the seashore.
2. A good cook could cook as much cookies as a
good cook who could cook cookies.
10. TOPIC: CONSONANCE
What is a CONSONANCE?
repetition of a consonant sound and is
typically used to refer to the repetition of
sounds at the end of the word, but also
refers to repeated sounds in the middle of
a word.
EXAMPLES:
1. Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter
2. I think I like the pink kite
11. TOPIC: ASSONANCE
What is a ASSONANCE?
Identity or similarity in sound between
internal vowels in neighboring words.
EXAMPLES:
1. How now, brown cow?
2. Hear the mellow wedding bells
12. TOPIC: OXYMORON
What is a OXYMORON?
A figure of speech in which
incongruous or contradictory terms appear
side by side.
EXAMPLES:
1. This is another fine mess you have got us into.
2. The comedian was seriously funny.
13. TOPIC: PARADOX
What is a PARADOX?
A statement that appears to contradict
itself.
EXAMPLES:
1. This is the beginning of the end.
2. Deep down, you're really shallow.
14. LET US PRACTICE!
IDENTIFY MY IDENTITY.
1. Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t she?
2. The candy was killing my cavity.
3. You are clearly confused by the situation you
have found yourself in.
4. She's as skinny as a toothpick.
5. You are my sunshine!
6. Odds and ends
7. The buzzing bee flew away.
8. I know one thing: that I know nothing.
9. He is as cunning as a fox.
10. Go and mow the lawn.