Figurative Language Techniques Worksheets
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LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
Students
will be able to
identify figurative
language techniques,
and explain their
definitions.
WHY TEACH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?
If students are familiar with a range of figurative language techniques, and
really understand their use and effect, it will make their writting more vivid,
and their literary analysis more mature.
You see, when students can explain how tone is created in a poem through
the use of alliteration, they will be well on their way to writing complex,
fluent analytical essays. When they can seemlessly use appropriate similes
in their creative writing, the imagery will make their pieces more compelling
and full-flavored.
However, the first step is familiarizing students with a range of effective
techniques. By the time students get to middle school, or even high school,
they usually know the names of figurative language techniques. Yet they still
need to practice identifying and explaining them in use. These worksheets
will help facilitate that process.
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
(C) STACEY LLOYD 2019
Metaphors
Similes
Euphemism
Personification
Oxymoron
Puns
Hyperbole
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Onomatopoeia
Assonance & Alliteration
Synecdoche
Anaphora
Allusion
Paradox
Irony
STACEY LLOYD
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Learning should be engaging, interactive, and relevant. That is
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Stacey
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critical thought and analysis.
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RIGOROUS
These colorful posters
will brighten up your
classroom and help
remind your students of
these different figurative
techniques. These
posters were designed
with teenagers in mind.
Graphic organizers
help students
visualize, organize,
and comprehend
information. These
ones were designed
especially for middle/
high school students.
After reading a short
story in class, why not
have students dive
deep into the narrative
by moving through
stations, discussing
literary elements?
In order to write fluent,
complex pieces (both
narrative and analytical),
students need to be
able to construct
sophisticated, mature
sentences. These
resources will help!
STACEY LLOYD
ENGAGING TEACHING RESOURCES
(C) STACEY LLOYD 2019
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Figurative Language Techniques Worksheets
© 2019 Stacey Lloyd. All rights reserved. Purchase of this resource
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(C) STACEY LLOYD 2019
A metaphor is a
figure of speech
in which a
comparison is
made between
two unlike things
that actually
have something
important
in common.
Metaphors
“Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.”
Orson Scott Card
Why do we use metaphors?
Metaphors are used to emphasize the qualities
of something by comparing it to something else,
and thus the meaning becomes clearer and
more effective. Think about the difference
between saying ‘he controls his students’ and ‘his
students are puppets on a string and he is the
puppet master.’ One is definitely more descriptive
and communicates the meaning more powerfully.
EXAMPLES:
» Love is a
battlefield.
» He is floating on
a sea of grief.
» She has rats’ tails
for hair.
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the Meaning of the metaphor.
This means that John is extremely strong.
EXAMPLE: John can lift 20 bricks; he is an ox. _________________________________________________
1. He turned over a new leaf. ________________________________________________________________________
2. My dad was very blue yesterday. _________________________________________________________________
3. Mary is a couch potato at the moment. ___________________________________________________________
4. Sara is the apple of her father’s eye. ______________________________________________________________
5. My mum has a bubbly personality. _______________________________________________________________
6. The teacher immediately shot down my idea. ____________________________________________________
7. Ben has the heart of a lion. _________________________________________________________________________
8. She is the brightest in the class. ____________________________________________________________________
9. It rained cats and dogs yesterday. _________________________________________________________________
10. Aunt Jo has a heart of gold. ______________________________________________________________________
Task Two: Create your own metaphors. (Remember: make direct comparisons without ‘like’ or ‘as’):
is always there in times of trouble
a life boat that ________________________________________________.
EXAMPLE: Friendship is ___________________ 1. Life is ______________________________ which_________________________________________________________.
2. Love is ____________________________________, which never_________________________________________.
3. My teacher is ________________________________; she always_______________________________________.
4. The day was _______________________________________________________________________________________.
5. The pen was ___________________________ in his hand when he __________________________________.
6. He was a __________________ during their relationship, as he always __________________________.
7. My pillow is a __________________________ beneath my head when I ____________________________.
8. My mother is a ______________________________ when she _________________________________________.
9. The spoon was ______________________________, when I ____________________________________________.
10. He __________________________ down the stairs, because he ______________________________________.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Similes
A simile is a figure of speech
in which a comparison is made
between two things, with the
use of a connective word such
as ‘like’ or ‘as’.
“Similes prove nothing, but yet greatly lighten and relieve
the tedium of an argument”
Robert South
Why use similes?
Writers, poets, and songwriters
use similes to add depth and
emphasize what they are
trying to convey to the reader
or listener; it makes their
writing more descriptive and
effective. Similes can be funny,
serious, mean, or creative.
EXAMPLES:
» He eats like a pig.
» Life is like a box
of chocolates.
» This cake is as
dry as a bone.
» You look as
white as a ghost.
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the Meaning of the Simile.
This means that she slept deeply and well.
EXAMPLE: She slept like a log last night. _____________________________________________________
1. I feel like a limp dishcloth. ____________________________________________________________________________
2. She eats like a pig when she is hungry. ______________________________________________________________
3. Bob is like a bull in a china shop today. ______________________________________________________________
4. Fly like the wind! _____________________________________________________________________________________
5. My father is as sharp as a pin. _______________________________________________________________________
6. She swims like a fish. _________________________________________________________________________________
7. Cindy’s skin is like porcelain. _________________________________________________________________________
8. My bag feels like a ton of bricks.______________________________________________________________________
9. Tom and Joe are like two peas in a pod. _____________________________________________________________
10. I feel as flat as a pancake. ___________________________________________________________________________
Task Two: Create your own SIMILES. (Remember: make comparisons Using connective words):
anxious
a mouse in a cattery
EXAMPLE: Tom is as __________________ as _________________________________________________________.
1. She dances like _____________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Betty is as _____________________________________ as___________________________________________________.
3. My teacher teaches like ________________________________, because she ____________________________.
4. The day was like ___________________________________________________________________________________.
5. I always feel like a ________________________________ when I ________________________________________.
6. My dad’s words were as ____________________________________ as ___________________________________.
7. When John is tired, he is like ______________________________________________________________________.
8. My sister is like a ______________________________ when she _________________________________________.
9. He spun around like a ___________________________, when I _________________________________________.
10. Steven eats like __________________________________ when he eats ___________________________________.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Euphemism
A euphemism
is a polite
expression
used
“Euphemism is a human device to conceal the horrors of reality.” – Paul Johnson
in place of
EXAMPLES:
words or
Why do we use euphemisms?
phrases that
Euphemisms are used regularly, and there
» My father passed
otherwise
are many examples in every day language.
away last year.
The purpose of euphemisms is to replace
might be
» Betty is large-boned.
unpleasant and severe words with more
considered
genteel ones in order to disguise the
harsh or
» The company has to
harshness, and soften the meaning when
unpleasant
to
let people go.
talking about unpleasant issues such as
hear.
» His dog was put
death, unemployment, crime or other
down.
‘embarrassing’ matters.
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the True Meaning of the Euphemism.
EXAMPLE: His wife passed away last year. ______________________________________________________
This means that his wife died.
1. There was collateral damage in the war. ____________________________________________________________
2. Did you just pass wind? _____________________________________________________________________________
3. We sell pre-owned vehicles. _________________________________________________________________________
4. Tom’s cooking skills leave room for improvement. ________________________________________________
5. Your cat needs to be put to sleep. ____________________________________________________________________
6. Beth is vertically challenged. _________________________________________________________________________
7. My sister is always borrowing clothes without asking. ___________________________________________
8. Elizabeth is expecting again. _________________________________________________________________________
9. He spent some time at a correctional facility last year. ____________________________________________
10. The company is downsizing. _______________________________________________________________________
Task Two: Create your own Euphemisms - Rewrite the following, trying to ‘soften’ them.
My uncle likes to stretch the truth.
EXAMPLE: My uncle is a liar. = ___________________________________________________________________
1. My aunty Ann is very old. _________________________________________________________________________
2. She is uglier than her sister. _________________________________________________________________________
3. Your mother died this morning. ____________________________________________________________________
4. My brother is really lazy. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. Gertrude is a thief. ___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Your cousin is unintelligent. ________________________________________________________________________
7. I am going to the toilet. ______________________________________________________________________________
8. Tim cheated on his homework. _____________________________________________________________________
9. My husband is unemployed. _______________________________________________________________________
10. Bob is poor. _________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Why personify?
Personification can
make descriptions of
non-human
things more
vivid, or can
help readers
understand,
sympathize with, or
react emotionally
to non-human
characters.
Personification
“It would be curious to discover who it is to whom one writes in a diary. Possibly
to some mysterious personification of one's own identity.” - Beatrice Webb
EXAMPLES:
» The wind whispered
through the trees.
» The sun beat down
on us.
» Love is blind.
» Her life passed her by.
Personification is a figure of
speech in which a thing, idea or
animal is given human
characteristics. Whatever is being
personified is portrayed in such a
way that we feel they have the
ability to act like human beings.
Task One: Fill In the following table.
What’s being
personified?
Ex.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Love will carry us through.
The sun announced that it
was time to get up.
Time flew as we enjoyed
each other’s company.
They slept soundly in front
of the comforting fire.
The chocolate ice cream is
calling my name.
He was aware that Death
was knocking at his door.
The words leapt off the page
as she read.
The bees played hide and
seek atop the flowers.
In the moonlight, the waves
dance & play with the shore.
Love
What human characteristic is given?
The
ability to hold and carry (which you need arms for).
Task Two: Complete the following, by using personification.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The clock on the wall ______________________________________________________________________________.
The oven _______________________________________________________________ the food I had prepared.
I suddenly felt Anger ______________________________________________________________________________.
My cell phone __________________________ on the table and ________________________________________.
The mountains ____________________________________________________ as the plane flew overhead.
His alarm clock _________________________________________________________ from the bedside table.
She ran as fast as she could as Time ______________________________________________________________
The book _________________________ and then ________________________________ as I began to read it.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Oxymoron
“I am a deeply superficial person.” - Andy Warhol
Why use oxymorons?
EXAMPLES:
Writers often use oxymorons to
draw attention to a particular
contradiction, or to create an ironic
sense of humor. They can also use
oxymorons to emphasize certain
qualities or ideas, or even to
confuse the reader.
» That would be
awfully nice.
» Pigs are pretty ugly.
» She is a big little girl.
» I am almost totally
happy.
An oxymoron
is a figure of speech
in which apparently
contradictory terms
appear in
conjunction. The
incongruity may be
accidental or
deliberate (as in the
case of humor).
Task One: Combine the following words to make 12 different oxymorons. Then write
sentences with them below (one sentence per oxymoron).
fine
sorrow
random
chaos
bitter
sweet
deafening
nightmare
disaster
shallow
beautiful
mess
organized
alone
failure
together
successful
deeply
silence
order
Our failed relationship was definitely a beautiful disaster.
EXAMPLE: [beautiful + disaster] ___________________________________________________________________
1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Why do we use puns?
Puns
Puns can be very humorous
and therefore writers,
comedians, actors etc. use
them in jokes and witty
remarks. However, they are
also used regularly in
everyday speech,
sometimes intentionally
and sometimes accidently
(often the most humorous
are the unintentional puns!)
“Puns are the highest form of literature.”
Alfred Hitchcock
EXAMPLES:
» A horse is a very stable animal.
» Gloves are extremely handy.
» A skunk fell in the river and
stank to the bottom.
A pun is a play on
words; a joke
exploiting the
different possible
meanings of a word
or the fact that there
are words which
sound alike but have
different meanings.
Task One: For each of the following Puns, explain the humor:
Punning
word?
Time flies like an
arrow. Fruit flies like a
banana.
1
An elephant's opinion
carries a lot of weight.
2
An angry bird landed
on a door knob. Then
flew off the handle.
3
Biking without a
helmet is a no brainer.
4
Santa’s helpers are
known as subordinate
Clauses.
5
Old skiers never die,
they just go downhill.
6
7
8
Explain the pun.
‘flies’ & This pun plays on the different meanings of the words ‘flies’ and ‘like’
flies = the action and the insect / like = similarity and preference
‘like’
What do you call a
cheese which is not
yours? Nacho cheese.
The chicken crossed
the playground to get
to the other slide.
When my mother saw
her first grey hair she
thought she’d dye.
9
Most people don’t like
food going to waist.
10
I usually take steps to
avoid elevators.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Why do we use hyperbole?
The purpose of hyperbole is to
create a larger-than-life effect and
overly stress a specific point. Such
sentences usually
convey an action or
sentiment that is
generally not
realistically possible or
plausible, but helps
emphasize an
emotion.
Hyperbole
“Hyperbole is a thousand times better than Exaggeration.”
Steve Carell
EXAMPLES:
» I’ve seen this
movie a million
times.
» I’m so hungry I
could eat a horse.
» He has tons of
money.
Hyperbole is extreme
exaggeration used to make a
point. This literary device is used
by writers and poets, but is also
common in everyday speech, as
it is used to stress a point and
emphasize an idea.
Task One: Underline/Highlight any examples of hyperbole in the following paragraph:
Yesterday I woke up in a fluster as I had a million things to do. I leapt out of bed like a gazelle and
quickly showered and brushed my teeth. Then, as usual, I stared at my closet forever, feeling
frustrated as I had absolutely nothing to wear! I threw on an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt and dashed
downstairs. I knew I had a ton of homework hanging over my head, but I put it out of my mind, as it
was just too overwhelming to think about. I was starving and so I wolfed down my breakfast, during
which my brother asked me if I wanted to ride to school with him. I thought, ‘Please, never in a million
years would I ride in your dilapidated old car!’ However, I just politely declined.
Task Two: Are the following examples of hyperbole? Explain why or why not.
Y/N
1
If yes, explain what it means. If no, why not?
My shoes are killing me!
2 The TV is really too loud.
3 That teacher is always
shouting.
4 I am dying to try that
new computer game.
5 My dog is so old he can
barely walk anymore.
6 My sister’s brain is the
size of a pea.
7 I need the toilet; I’ll be
back in a second.
8 That science lesson was
never-ending.
9 This cake is the best thing
I have ever tasted.
10 That was the easiest
exam in the world.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Onomatopoeia
is the use of
words that
imitate the
sounds
associated with
the objects or
actions to which
they refer.
Onomatopoeia
“Sound gives life to our words just as well as the images they conjure up and the
sound is there, whether or not we read them aloud.” - A. A, Patawaran
EXAMPLES:
» I could hear a faint
buzzing.
» The guitar twanged.
» The boy whistled in
my ear.
» The cat meowed
loudly.
Why use onomatopoeia?
Writers often use onomatopoeia in their
writing to make it more descriptive, as it
allows the reader to almost hear
what they are describing. It creates
a sound effect that mimics the thing
described, making the description more
expressive and interesting and it helps
the reader to create better images in
their mind while reading.
Task One: Underline/Highlight any examples of Onomatopoeia in the following paragraphs:
As I lay in the forest I could hear the deep thumping of my heart. I was keenly aware of my
surroundings: the wind whispering through the trees; the rustling of the undergrowth; the gentle buzz
and hum of the forest at night. I slowly rolled over and onto my knees and began crawling away from
my hideout. I was trying to make my way to the gushing water, desperate for something to drink.
I soon came to the edge of the life-giving river and began furiously gulping, trying to take in as
much as possible. After a few minutes, as my thirst was starting to abate, I became aware of a strange
sound. Without looking up I listened for a while. There it was. Plop. Plop. Plop. I cautiously raised my
head and saw a strange boy standing on the opposite bank. He returned my stare without stopping his
rhythmic throwing of stones.
Task Two: Try to think of as many onomatopoeic words as you can and write them below:
Task Three: Use onomatopoeia and write five of your own sentences. Try to use onomatopoeic
words not previously used on this worksheet.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Assonance
Assonance
is the
repetition
of vowel
sounds in
nearby
words.
Alliteration
EXAMPLES:
EXAMPLES:
» Go and mow the lawn.
» Engineers steered the vehicle.
» Don’t go tomorrow.
» The curious cat smiled.
» Betty bought some butter.
» She sells seashells.
Why
use alliteration and assonance?
Many authors and poets use sound devices to enhance the
meaning of their words or to set a mood. When assonance is
used, it draws attention to words and is often employed
poetically. Similarly, alliteration is commonly used in prose
writing, for instance in newspaper headlines that are
intended to be memorable.
Alliteration is
the occurrence
of the same
letter or sound
at the beginning
of adjacent
or closely
connected
words.
Task One: the following are extracts from poems. Identify if they contain alliteration or
assonance, and underline the matching sounds.
_
_
_
Alliteration
EXAMPLE: “With blinding sight / blind eyes could blaze” (Dylan Thomas). -__________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
“The river murmured” (Jeffrey Farnol). ________________________________________________________________
“With bloody blameful blade he bravely broached” (Shakespeare) _________________________________
“He gives his harness bells a shake” (Robert Frost) ___________________________________________________
“A host, of golden daffodils” (William Wordsworth) __________________________________________________
“The day of his death was a dark cold death.” (W. H. Auden) ______________________________________
“That dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea.” (W. B. Yeats) _______________________________________
“Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields.” (Alfred Tennyson) ____________________________________________
“Mary sat musing on the lamp-flame at the table.” (Robert Frost) ___________________________________
9. “on a proud round cloud in white high night” (e. e. cummings) _____________________________________
Task Two: Write 5 sentences using alliteration:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now write 5 sentences Using assonance:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Synecdoche
Synecdoche is a
figure of speech in
which a part is
used to represent
the whole, or the
whole is used to
represent a part.
“Every work of art is a synecdoche, there’s
no way around it. Every creative work that
someone does can only represent an aspect
of the whole of something.” - Charlie Kaufman
Why use synecdoche?
The function of synecdoche is to emphasize
specific aspects of the thing or person that the
synecdoche represents, and to reduce the
importance of the thing itself. When used in
writing, a synecdoche will add to the visual
imagery of the passage and enhance the
reader’s experience.
EXAMPLES:
» Those are really nice
wheels you have there.
» Britain has won gold at
the Winter Games.
» Lend me your ears and
I will play you a song.
Task One: For each of the following, identify the part/whole that is being used and
then explain how it is synecdoche (what it means).
Part/whole
ex
1
Those are some nice
threads you are wearing.
These days people use
plastic to pay for
everything.
2
He threw his glasses across
the room.
3
The world has not been
kind to me.
Threads
Meaning
The actual clothes are being talked about here, but they are
made of individual threads. We just need a few more
4 hands in here, then we can
get this done.
5
I see we have some new
faces here tonight.
6
The Pentagon has released
a statement this morning.
7
The streets of New York
are too crowded with suits.
Task Two: Write 3 sentences of your own which employ synecdoche.
1.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Anaphora
“Constant repetition carries conviction.” – Robert Collier
EXAMPLES:
» Every day, every night,
every moment I love you.
» This land, this home, this
place is important.
» You did this. You ruined
their lives. You are the
problem.
Anaphora
is the deliberate
repetition of a word
or phase at the
beginning of
successive clauses.
Why use anaphora?
Through the use of repetition,
anaphora helps to emphasize a
point and give prominence to an
idea. It is used in a variety of
types of writing and even in
everyday speech. Speechwriters
may use anaphora to appeal to
the emotions of the audience in
order to persuade, inspire,
motivate and encourage them.
Moreover, the use of anaphora
in literature often adds rhythm
to a work of poetry or prose.
Task One: For each of the following, identify the use of anaphora, then explain why it is used.
Anaphora
ex
Every person, every man, every
woman, every child, should
experience the power of love.
1
"Of all the gin joints in all the
towns in all the world, she walks
into mine." (Rick Blaine in
Casablanca)
2
“It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times, it was the age of
wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
[…] it was the spring of hope, it was the
winter of despair.” (Dickens)
3
“This blessed plot, this earth, this
realm, this is England… This land of
such dear souls, this dear land.”
(Richard II, Shakespeare)
4
“[w]e shall fight on the beaches, we
shall fight on the landing grounds, we
shall fight in the fields and in the
streets, we shall fight in the hills. We
shall never surrender.” (Churchill)
5
"It rained on his lousy tombstone,
and it rained on the grass on his
stomach. It rained all over the
place." (Salinger)
The word
‘every’ is
repeated.
The effect
The effect of repeating the word ‘every’ is that it
stresses the fact that this applies to all people. It
is used for emphasis. Task Two: Write 3 sentences of your own which employ anaphora.
1.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
An allusion is
a figure of speech
that makes a brief
indirect reference
to a person, place,
thing or idea of
historical, cultural,
literary or political
significance.
Allusion
“Never affirm, always allude: allusions are made to test the
spirit and probe the heart.” – Umberto Eco
Why allude?
The use of allusions enables writers or poets to
simplify concepts or ideas without having to give
lengthy descriptions. Often, writers allude to biblical
stories, Greek mythology or works of literature
or art, which will be known to the reader.
EXAMPLES:
» He’s a real Solomon
when it comes to
making decisions.
» She’s opened
Pandora’s box with
that letter.
» You don’t need a
man to save you;
you’re not
Cinderella.
Task One: For each of the following, identify what is being alluded to, and explain the allusion.
ex
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
We love having Beth help out
here; she is a Mother Theresa
in the making.
These flowers are beautiful!
You are quite the Romeo,
aren’t you?
Allusion Explain
Theresa was a missionary known for her selflessness
Mother Mother
and
work
the poor. Therefore, Beth is being attributed
Theresa with thesewith
characteristics. My wife has a smile which
rivals the Mona Lisa.
Even though he is only 5
years old, he is quite the little
Einstein.
Don’t be a Grinch; just please
help me decorate the
Christmas tree.
Ben was a good Samaritan
yesterday, helping that old
lady the way he did.
Completing a triathlon is a
Herculean task, but I think
that Toby is up for it.
Lance needs to stay away
from Kylie – she is like
kryptonite to him.
Make the right choice and be
loyal to your friends. Don’t be
a Judas.
Task Two: Write three sentences of your own, incorporating the following allusions:
1.
Achilles’ heel: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
Pinocchio: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Garden of Eden: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
A paradox
is a seemingly
contradictory
statement,
which actually
makes sense or
contains some
truth.
Paradox
“In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one
and yet remain two.” – Erich Fromm
What is the purpose of a paradox?
The purpose of a paradox is to capture attention and provoke
fresh thought. As the sense is not clear without deeper
reflection and thought, it prompts the reader/listener to
think critically about the topic to search for the meaning.
EXAMPLES:
» Less is more.
» Deep down
you are
really
shallow.
» This is the
beginning of
the end.
Task One:For each of the following, identify the contradiction & then explain how this might be true.
The ‘beginning’ and the ‘end’ are opposites, therefore
EXAMPLE: This is the beginning of the end. _______________________________________________________ apparently contradictory. However, this can mean the point at which something starts to deteriorate.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Dieting makes you fat. ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. You need to be cruel to be kind. _______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. There is nobody poorer than a rich man. ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Nobody goes to that restaurant, as it is too crowded. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. You need to spend money to make money. __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. (printed on a piece of paper) This page is intentionally left blank. __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. You must learn to swim before you get into the water. _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. The best advice I can give you is: Do not listen to people’s advice. __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
What is the purpose
of irony?
Irony
Writers and poets regularly
use irony, but people in
everyday speech also use it.
Often verbal irony is
employed in conversation –
frequently in the form of
sarcasm. Irony in literature
is intended to provoke the
reader to think about and
analyze a situation. By
comparing and contrasting
reality with assumptions
about reality, the reader is
able to gain a deeper
understanding.
volume cranked up.” - George Saunders
EXAMPLES:
» The criminals decided to rob the
police station.
» That dentist has really bad teeth.
» I need this meeting like I need a
hole in the head.
» “Wow this bathroom smells
fresh!” (When it really doesn’t!)
3 TYPES OF IRONY
Situational Irony
When there is a contrast between
the result of a situation, and what
was intended or usually expected
Verbal Irony
When what is said is actually the
opposite of what is really meant
Dramatic Irony
When the audience or reader
knows more than the characters
in a work of literature
Task One: For each of the following, identify the type of Irony & then explain why it’s ironic.
example
Type
When watching a scary movie,
the audience knows the killer is
under the bed, but the girl is
totally unaware as she enters.
1
Bill Gates was seen using an
Apple computer.
2
My hairdresser has a really
awful hairstyle.
Dramatic
Irony
Explain
The audience knows more than the character, therefore
it is dramatic irony. It is employed to heighten the
sense of suspense and the thrill of the drama. A Facebook status: “I really
hate it when people make
3
grammatical errors in there
writing.”
John posted a video on
4 YouTube about how much he
hates YouTube.
5
In Romeo and Juliet, we watch as
Romeo, thinking Juliet is dead,
kills himself. Yet the audience
knows that she is not dead.
The boy said, “Oh how
6 wonderful!” when he found
out he had failed his exam.
Jill protested the ill-treatment
7 of animals while wearing her
mink coat.
“This steak is as tender and
8 delicious as chewing an old
boot.”
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Figurative Language Worksheets
Answer Key
Please note that some of the tasks on the worksheets require students to come up with
their own example sentences, and therefore there is no strict answer key for those tasks.
However, below are the answer keys for the tasks which do have definitive answers.
Metaphor
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the Meaning of the metaphor.
This means that John is extremely strong.
EXAMPLE: John can lift 20 bricks; he is an ox. _________________________________________________
1. He turned over a new leaf. ________________________________________________________________________
This means that he has changed his attitudes or actions.
2. My dad was very blue yesterday. _________________________________________________________________
To ‘be blue’ means that one is feeling sad.
3. Mary is a couch potato at the moment. ___________________________________________________________
Mary spends a lot of time on the couch watching TV.
This means that Sara’s father cherishes her above all others.
4. Sara is the apple of her father’s eye. ______________________________________________________________
5. My mum has a bubbly personality. _______________________________________________________________
To have a ‘bubbly’ personality, means to be high-spirited & cheerful.
This means that their idea was dismissed.
6. The teacher immediately shot down my idea. ____________________________________________________
7. Ben has the heart of a lion. _________________________________________________________________________
This means that Ben is very brave and determined.
This means that she is the cleverest in the class.
8. She is the brightest in the class. ____________________________________________________________________
It rained extremely heavily yesterday.
9. It rained cats and dogs yesterday. _________________________________________________________________
This means that she is sincere and kind.
10. Aunt Jo has a heart of gold. ______________________________________________________________________
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
Simile
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the Meaning of the Simile.
This means that she slept deeply and well.
EXAMPLE: She slept like a log last night. _________________________________________________________
This means that the person feels tired and lifeless.
1. I feel like a limp dishcloth. __________________________________________________________________________
means that she eats a lot and in a noisy or unpleasant way.
2. She eats like a pig when she is hungry.This
____________________________________________________________
means that Bob is being clumsy in a delicate situation.
3. Bob is like a bull in a china shop today. This
____________________________________________________________
This means to move very quickly.
4. Fly like the wind! ___________________________________________________________________________________
This means that he is intelligent.
5. My father is as sharp as a pin. _____________________________________________________________________
This means that she swims extremely well.
6. She swims like a fish. _______________________________________________________________________________
This means that her skin is smooth and flawless.
7. Cindy’s skin is like porcelain. ______________________________________________________________________
This means that the bad is really heavy.
8. My bag feels like a ton of bricks.____________________________________________________________________
9. Tom and Joe are like two peas in a pod. ___________________________________________________________
This means that they are very similar.
To feel flat like a pancake means to have no energy.
10. I feel as flat as a pancake. ________________________________________________________________________
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Euphemism
Task One: For each of the following sentences, explain the True Meaning of the Euphemism.
This means that his wife died.
EXAMPLE: His wife passed away last year. ____________________________________________________
This means that civilians were killed.
1. There was collateral damage in the war. _________________________________________________________
To pass wind is a euphemism for farting.
2. Did you just pass wind? ____________________________________________________________________________
They sell second-hand cars.
3. We sell pre-owned vehicles. _______________________________________________________________________
Tom is a bad cook.
4. Tom’s cooking skills leave room for improvement._______________________________________________
This means that the cat needs to be euthanized.
5. Your cat needs to be put to sleep. __________________________________________________________________
This means that Beth is short.
6. Beth is vertically challenged. _______________________________________________________________________
She steals her clothes.
7. My sister is always borrowing clothes without asking. __________________________________________
This means that Elizabeth is pregnant.
8. Elizabeth is expecting again. ________________________________________________________________________
He was in jail.
9. He spent some time at a correctional facility last year. ___________________________________________
The company is firing employees.
10. The company is downsizing.______________________________________________________________________
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
Personification
Task One: Fill in the following table:
What’s being
personified?
Ex.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Love will carry us through.
The sun announced that it
was time to get up.
Time flew as we enjoyed
each other’s company.
They slept soundly in front
of the comforting fire.
The chocolate ice cream is
calling my name.
He was aware that Death
was knocking at his door.
The words leapt off the page
as she read.
The bees played hide and
seek atop the flowers.
In the moonlight, the waves
dance & play with the shore.
Love
The sun
The ability to hold and carry (which you need arms for).
The sun is given a mouth and the ability to speak.
Time
Time is given the ability to move and fly.
The fire
The fire is given the ability to comfort.
The
chocolate
ice cream
Death
The words
The bees
What human characteristic is given?
The waves
The chocolate ice cream is portrayed as speaking.
Death is a person who can knock on a door.
The words are given the ability to jump (which you
need legs for).
The bees are playing a game, in a human way.
The waves are given the human ability of dancing.
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Oxymoron
Task One: [creative – no memorandum]
However, suggested oxymorons:
»
»
»
»
Fine mess
Sweet sorrow
Bitter sweet
Beautiful mess
»
»
»
»
Alone together
Deafening silence
Bitter sweet
Successful failure
»
»
»
»
Organized chaos
Deeply shallow
Beautiful disaster
Random order
Task One: For each of the following, explain the humor:
Punning
word?
Time flies like an
arrow. Fruit flies like a
banana.
‘flies’ &
‘like’
Puns
Explain the pun.
This pun plays on the different meanings of the words ‘flies’ & ‘like’
flies = the action and the insect / like = similarity and preference
1
An elephant's opinion
carries a lot of weight.
Carries a
lot of
weight
2
An angry bird landed
on a door knob. Then
flew off the handle.
Flew off
the handle
3
Biking without a
helmet is a no brainer.
A ‘no brainer’ means it doesn’t even take thought, but here it means
No
brainer that you will have no brain if you don’t wear a helmet.
4
Santa’s helpers are
known as subordinate
Clauses.
Subordinate
clauses
5
Old skiers never die,
they just go downhill.
downhill To ‘go downhill’ means to deteriorate, but it also is a type of skiing.
6
7
8
What do you call a
cheese which is not
yours? Nacho cheese.
The chicken crossed
the playground to get
to the other slide.
When my mother saw
her first grey hair she
thought she’d dye.
To carry weight means to have influence, but an elephant is also very
heavy and literally carries a lot of weight around.
To fly off the handle means to lose one’s temper, but here it also
literally means ‘to fly’ as it is in reference to an angry bird.
A subordinate clause is a part of grammar, but subordinate also means
inferior and therefore as Santa’s surname is ‘Clause’, his helpers are
subordinate to him, and are clauses.
Nacho This is a play on ‘Nacho cheese’, as it sounds very similar to ‘not your
cheese cheese’.
slide
The usual joke ends in ‘to get to the other side’, but there are
slides in a playground, so it is a play on the word side/slide.
dye
Here ‘dye’ has two meanings – ‘to die’ = die from mortification, and
‘to dye’ = to color, as it is about grey hair.
9
Most people don’t like
food going to waist.
waist
This is a play on the word ‘waist’. It means food waste and putting
on weight on your waist.
10
I usually take steps to
avoid elevators.
take
steps
To ‘take steps’ means to take action, yet in order to avoid
elevators one would have to literally take the stairs.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Hyperbole
Task One: Underline/Highlight any examples of hyperbole in the following paragraph:
Yesterday I woke up in a fluster as I had a million things to do. I leapt out of bed like a gazelle and
quickly showered and brushed my teeth. Then, as usual, I stared at my closet forever, feeling
frustrated as I had absolutely nothing to wear! I threw on an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt and dashed
downstairs. I knew I had a ton of homework hanging over my head, but I put it out of my mind, as it
was just too overwhelming to think about. I was starving and so I wolfed down my breakfast, during
which my brother asked me if I wanted to ride to school with him. I thought, ‘Please, never in a million
Task Two: Are the following examples of hyperbole? Explain why or why not.
Y/N
1
My shoes are killing me!
Yes
2 The TV is really too loud.
No
teacher is always
3 That
shouting.
Yes
am dying to try that
4 Inew
computer game.
Yes
dog is so old he can
5 My
barely walk anymore.
No
sister’s brain is the
6 My
size of a pea.
Yes
need the toilet; I’ll be
7 Iback
in a second.
Yes
science lesson was
8 That
never-ending.
Yes
cake is the best
9 This
thing I have ever tasted.
Maybe
was the easiest
10 That
exam in the world.
Yes
If yes, explain what it means. If no, why not?
It means that the shoes are really uncomfortable; they are not actually
going to cause the wearer’s death.
It may well be too loud; there is no hyperbole here.
It is not possible that the teacher is shouting at all times. It means
that they shout a lot.
This means that the person really really wants to try the computer
game. They are not actually dying.
If the dog is really old, it is quite likely that he can barely walk. This is
not an implausible exaggeration.
Nobody’s brain is actually that small. She just means that her sister is
not very clever.
It would take longer than a second to go to the toilet; this just means
that they will be very quick.
It obviously ended so this is an exaggeration; however it means that it
felt very long.
It’s difficult to say if this is hyperbole as it may well be the best cake
the person ever tasted. It may also just mean that it is really delicious.
This is an exaggeration meaning that the exam was really easy.
Onomatopoeia
Task One: Underline/Highlight any examples of Onomatopoeia in the following paragraphs:
As I lay in the forest I could hear the deep thumping of my heart. I was keenly aware of my
surroundings: the wind whispering through the trees; the rustling of the undergrowth; the gentle buzz
and hum of the forest at night. I slowly rolled over and onto my knees and began crawling away from
my hideout. I was trying to make my way to the gushing water, desperate for something to drink.
I soon came to the edge of the life-giving river and began furiously gulping, trying to take in as
much as possible. After a few minutes, as my thirst was starting to abate, I became aware of a strange
sound. Without looking up I listened for a while. There it was. Plop. Plop. Plop. I cautiously raised my
head and saw a strange boy standing on the opposite bank. He returned my stare without stopping his
rhythmic throwing of stones.
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
Task Three: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Alliteration & Assonance
Task One: the following are extracts from poems. Identify if they contain alliteration or
assonance, and underline the matching sounds.
_
_
_
Alliteration
EXAMPLE: “With blinding sight / blind eyes could blaze” (Dylan Thomas). -__________________________________
_ _
_ _
_
_ _
_ _ _ _
_ _
_
_
_
_
_
_ _
_ _
_
_
_
_ _
_ _
_ _ _
__ _
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Assonance
“The river murmured” (Jeffrey Farnol). ________________________________________________________________
Alliteration
“With bloody blameful blade he bravely broached” (Shakespeare) _________________________________
Assonance
“He gives his harness bells a shake” (Robert Frost) ___________________________________________________
Assonance
“A host, of golden daffodils” (William Wordsworth) __________________________________________________
Alliteration
“The day of his death was a dark cold death.” (W. H. Auden) ______________________________________
Assonance
“That dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea.” (W. B. Yeats) _______________________________________
Alliteration
“Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields.” (Alfred Tennyson) ____________________________________________
Assonance
“Mary sat musing on the lamp-flame at the table.” (Robert Frost) ___________________________________
Assonance
“on a proud round cloud in white high night” (e. e. cummings) ____________________________________
Synecdoche
Task One: For each of the following, identify the part/whole that is being used and
then explain how it is synecdoche (what it means).
Threads
Meaning
The actual clothes are being talked about here, but they are
made of individual threads.
plastic
What is being referred to here is credit cards, but they are
made of plastic, and so that is the part that is mentioned.
glasses
Glasses are just a part of spectacles (the lenses), so he threw
his spectacles across the room.
Part/whole
ex
1
2
3
4
Those are some nice
threads you are wearing.
These days people use
plastic to pay for
everything.
He threw his glasses across
the room.
The world has not been
kind to me.
We just need a few more
hands in here, then we can
get this done.
world is the whole, in reference to the part of the world
The world The
(the people), with whom the speaker has come into contact.
The speaker means that they need more people to help, but
hands
their hands are the part of them which are most needed for
the task.
5
I see we have some new
faces here tonight.
6
The Pentagon has released
a statement this morning.
The
Pentagon
7
The streets of New York
are too crowded with suits.
suits
faces
This means that there are some new people, but their faces
are the part which the speaker can see and references.
What is meant here is that a few decision makers at the
Pentagon have released a statement.
‘Suits’ is a common reference to businessmen and women,
because the suits they wear distinguish them as businesspeople.
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Anaphora
Anaphora
The effect
example
Task One: For each of the following, identify the use of anaphora, then explain why it is used.
Every person, every man, every
woman, every child, should
experience the power of love.
The word
‘every’ is
repeated.
The effect of repeating the word ‘every’ is
that it stresses the fact that this applies
to all people. It is used for emphasis. 1
"Of all the gin joints in all the
towns in all the world, she
walks into mine." (Rick Blaine in
Casablanca)
The repetition of the word ‘all’ emphasizes
Repetition the fact that there are many other
of the
possibilities, and hence highlights the
word ‘all’ improbability and therefore incredible fact
that it was his bar she walked into.
“It was the best of times, it was
the worst of times, it was the
age of wisdom, it was the age of
2
foolishness, […] it was the spring
of hope, it was the winter of
despair.” (Dickens)
‘It was
the...’
begins
each
clause
The use of anaphora here makes this piece
of prose highly memorable, and it highlights
the fact that it is over and in the past
tense. It also draws the reader’s attention
to this specific time in history.
“This blessed plot, this earth,
this realm, this is England… This
3
land of such dear souls, this dear
land.” (Richard II, Shakespeare)
The word
‘this’
starts
each
clause.
This use of anaphora stirs emotion in the
audience, especially those who have a
connection to England as it emphasizes the
specific place and country.
“[w]e shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing
grounds, we shall fight in the
4
fields and in the streets, we shall
fight in the hills. We shall never
surrender.” (Churchill)
Repetition
of ‘we
shall
fight’.
This use of anaphora is highly emotive, and
the repetition emphasizes the fact that
they must fight and not give up. By starting
each clause with ‘we shall fight’, Churchill
stirs his audience into action.
"It rained on his lousy
tombstone, and it rained on the
5
grass on his stomach. It rained
all over the place." (Salinger)
‘It rained’
is
repeated
3 times.
This repetition of ‘it rained’ draws the
reader’s attention to the incessant rain and
the fact that it was all over the place. It
is used for emphasis.
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Allusion
Task One: For each of the following, identify what is being alluded to, and explain the allusion.
Allusion
Explain
Mother
Theresa
Mother Theresa was a missionary known for her
selflessness and work with the poor. Therefore,
Beth is being attributed with these
characteristics. ex
We love having Beth help
out here; she is a M other
Theresa in the making.
1
These flowers are
beautiful! You are quite
the Romeo, aren’t you?
Romeo from
Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet
‘Romeo and Juliet’ is known as a classic love story,
and Romeo as an archetypal lover. Therefore, this
is attributing the guy with romantic ways.
2
My wife has a smile which
rivals the Mona Lisa.
The Mona Lisa
Painting by
Leonardo da Vinci
The Mona Lisa is known for her cryptic and
famous smile. So the speaker is saying that his
wife has a mysterious smile.
3
Even though he is only 5
years old, he is quite the
little Einstein.
Albert Einstein
4
Don’t be a Grinch; just
please help me decorate
the Christmas tree.
The Grinch by
Dr Seuss
5
Ben was a good Samaritan
yesterday, helping that old
lady the way he did.
The story of
the good
Samaritan from
the Bible
6
Completing a triathlon is a
herculean task, but I think
that Toby is up for it.
The Greek
myth of the
tasks of
Hercules
Einstein is often regarded as one of the
greatest and most intelligent scientists.
Therefore alluding to him is a way of saying that
this child is extremely clever.
The Grinch in the story was anti-Christmas and
grumpy, and so by calling somebody a ‘Grinch’ you
are accusing them of not getting into the spirit
of the season.
In the story of the good Samaritan, the
Samaritan helps a stranger, and has come to stand
as an example of selfless actions. Therefore,
Ben’s actions are being praised.
In Greek mythology, Hercules was unbelievably
strong had to undertake 12 tasks which required
extreme strength and courage. Therefore, the
speaker is saying that a triathlon requires
immense strength.
7
Lance needs to stay away
from Kylie – she is like
kryptonite to him.
Kyroptonite
from the
Superman
comics.
Kryptonite was Superman’s one weakness.
Therefore, this allusion means that Kylie is
Lance’s weakness.
8
Make the right choice and
be loyal to your friends.
Don’t be a Judas.
Judas from the
Bible
In the biblical story, Judas betrayed Jesus, who
was meant to be a close friend. So this allusion
means ‘don’t betray your friends’.
Task Two: [creative – no memorandum]
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Paradox
Task One:For each of the following, identify the contradiction & then explain how this might be true.
The ‘beginning’ and the ‘end’ are opposites, therefore
EXAMPLE: This is the beginning of the end. _______________________________________________________ apparently contradictory. However, this can mean the point at which something starts to deteriorate.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
purpose of dieting is to lose weight, so the idea that it makes you fat seems
1. __
Dieting
makes you fat. The
________________________________________________________________________________
___
___________________________________
incongruent. However, sometimes people diet wrongly, or think too much about food or eat the wrong things
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___
when
___t___
hey
_____
diet,
___an__d___
the
__y___
end
___u__
p ___
putt
___ing
_____
on __
wei___
ght
___in_s_te
___a___
d o_f____
los__ing
___it_.
Cruelty and kindness are opposites; therefore the thought that one
2. You need to be cruel to be kind. _______________________________________________________________________
can result in the other seems paradoxical. However, sometimes you have to do/say something seemingly unkind in
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
the short term, for the long term or future benefits.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
rich means that you are not poor. Therefore saying
3. There is nobody poorer than a rich man. Being
____________________________________________________________
that a rich person could be poor seems like a contradiction. However, if we are talking figuratively, and not
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
literally, a materially rich man could be spiritually / emotionally / relationally poor.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How could a restaurant be crowded if nobody
4. Nobody goes to that restaurant, as it is too crowded. ______________________________________________
goes there? This seems like a contradiction. However, the speaker may be using hyperbole, so when they say
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
‘nobody’, they don’t mean it literally, but they may mean that nobody in his/her community of friends.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This seems contradictory, as if you are spending money, you
5. You need to spend money to make money. __________________________________________________________
are not saving/making it. However, this can relate to business owners who need to invest money (spend it) in the
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
short term, in order to profit in the long term.
The fact that these words
6. (printed on a piece of paper) This page is intentionally left blank. __________________________________
appear on the page means that it is not blank, so it seems nonsensical. However, this may appear in an exam, for
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
example, and what it means is that it is left blank of content and is not a misprint. Therefore it makes sense.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
must one learn to swim without getting
7. You must learn to swim before you get into the water. How
_____________________________________________
into water? However, this may apply to a certain context; for example a swimming pool at a school - you may
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
have to know how to swim before getting into that particular body of water.
This seems paradoxical, because in
8. The best advice I can give you is: do not listen to people’s advice. __________________________________
order to take this advice, you do the very thing that the advice is advising against! However, the speaker may be referring
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
to a particular situation, and not in general. (E.g. don’t listen to advice when it comes to how you raise your children.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© Stacey Lloyd 2019
Irony
Task One: For each of the following, identify the type of Irony & then explain why it’s ironic.
Explain
example
Type
When watching a scary
movie, the audience knows
the killer is under the bed,
but the girl is totally
unaware as she enters.
1
Bill Gates was seen using
an Apple computer.
Situational
Irony
Bill Gates is the owner of Microsoft so one would not
expect him to use an Apple computer (a competitor’s
product). This is the situational irony.
2
My hairdresser has a really
awful hairstyle.
Situational
Irony
Hairdressers do hair for a living, so one would expect
them to have great hair, yet this one doesn’t and this
is the opposite of what is expected. Hence the irony.
A Facebook status: “I really
hate it when people make
3
grammatical errors in there
writing.”
Situational
Irony
The person is saying that they hate grammatical errors,
yet they make one when saying it (“there” – “their”).
This is ironic.
John posted a video on
4 YouTube about how much
he hates YouTube.
Situational
Irony
If John hates YouTube, the very last place you would
think he would express it is on YouTube. Yet he does,
and so this is ironic.
5
In Romeo and Juliet, we
watch as Romeo, thinking
Juliet is dead, kills himself.
Yet the audience knows that
she is not dead.
Dramatic
Irony
The audience knows more about the situation than
Romeo does – they know that Juliet is not really dead.
Therefore they have a deeper understanding of the
situation than the characters on stage. Therefore this
is dramatic irony.
6
The boy said, “Oh how
wonderful!” when he
found out he had failed his
exam.
Verbal
Irony
Nobody wants to fail an exam – it is bad news. However,
this boy says it is ‘wonderful’. It is the opposite of
what they mean and therefore is verbal irony.
Jill protested the ill7 treatment of animals while
wearing her mink coat.
Situational
Irony
A mink coat is made of animal fur. One would think that
an animal rights activist would be against wearing fur,
yet they are not. Therefore this is ironic.
“This steak is as tender and
8 delicious as chewing an old
boot.”
Verbal
Irony
Dramatic
Irony
The audience knows more than the character,
therefore it is dramatic irony. It is employed to
heighten the sense of suspense and the thrill of the
drama.
Chewing an old boot is not really tender or delicious.
Therefore the speaker means the opposite of what
they are saying – it is not delicious at all.
© Stacey Lloyd 2019