This document provides definitions and examples of various figurative language devices used in literature. It defines hyperbole, imagery, symbolism, allegory, idiom, irony, cliche, oxymoron, euphemism, paradox, pun, and various sound devices like alliteration, assonance, anaphora, and onomatopoeia. It also discusses poetic devices that use comparisons such as simile, metaphor, and personification. The document is intended as a guide to understanding these figurative language techniques.

1. Figurative
language
guide
Miss S Pillay

2. hyperbole
An exaggerated
statement is used to
heighten the effect.
Example:
My house is a
million miles
away.

3. Imagery
Language that appeals to the
senses.
Descriptions of people or
objects are stated in terms of
our senses in the reader’s
mind.

4. symbolism
The practice or art of
using an object or a word
to represent an abstract
idea. An action, person,
place, word, or object can
all have a symbolic
meaning and significance
In the spring, I asked the daisies If
his words were true,
And the clever, clear-eyed daisies
Always knew.
In the above lines, “spring” and
daisies are symbols of youth.

5. allegory
A story in which the
characters represent
abstract (symbolic)
qualities or ideas.
In Westerns, the
Sheriff often
represents good
and the outlaw
represents evil.

6. Idiom
Sayings or expressions we
use every day that wouldn’t
make sense literally, but we
understand what they
mean.
eg.
“When pigs fly” –
Something that
will never
happen.

7. irony
The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally
signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Dramatic:
When the audience
knows something is
coming, but the
characters do not
Example:
In Home Alone – we
know Kevin planted
traps all over the
house but the
burglars didn’t.
Verbal:
opposite of what is
said is meant
(sarcasm).
Example:
You tell someone to
break a leg but you
mean to have a good
time.
Situational:
When the opposite
of what is expected
to happen,
happens.
Example:
a fire station burns
down.

8. cliche
A phrase, line or
expression that has been
so over-used it has
become common place
and unorigina.
Example:
They lived
happily ever
after

9. oxymoron
When two words, that
contradict each other, are
put together.
Pretty Ugly
only choice
act naturally
bittersweet
peace force
small crowd

10. euphemism
The substituting of a mild,
indirect, polite or vague term
for one considered harsh or
offensive.
eg. saying
someone has
“passed away”
instead of “died”

11. paradox
A statement that
apparently contradicts
itself and yet might be
true.
Example:
It was the best
of times, It was
the worst of
times.

12. pun
A form of “word play” in
which words have a double
meaning.
Example:
A boiled egg
every morning
is hard to
beat.

13. poetic devices
that use
sound devices

14. Alliteration
Repeated consonant
sounds occurring at the
beginning of words or
within words.
Example:
She was wide-
eyed and
wondering
while she
waited for
Walter to wake.

15. Assonance
Takes place when two
or more words close to
one another repeat the
same vowel sound.
eg. The rain in
Spain falls
mainly on the
plain.

16. Anaphora
The repetition of a
word or phrase at the
beginning of
successive clauses or
verses.
Example:
For those who ran in the
streets,
There were no faces to welcome
them back.
Jose escaped and loved the war.
For those who swam with
bitterness
Of as scorched love
There was a rusted car to work
on.

17. Onomatopoeia
A word that mimics
a sound.

18. Enjambment
When a sentence runs
on into the next line
without a break.
Example:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and asleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

19. Figures of
speech that
use
comparisons

20. Simile
Comparison of two unlikely
things using “like” or “as.”
Example:
She is
as
sweet
as
candy.

21. Metaphor
A figure of speech that involves
an IMPLIED COMPARISON
between two relatively unlike
things using a form of be. The
comparison is not announced
by like or as.
Example:
All the
world is a
stage.

22. Personification
A figure of speech
that gives the
qualities of a person
to an animal, an
object, or an idea.
eg. The stars danced in
the moonlight.

23. Any
questions?