Figurative Language
1. COMPARISONS
1.1 Metaphor
• A direct comparison of two things in which we say one
thing is another.
• The two things being compared usually share something
in common.
• e.g. He is a pig.
• The comparison: his behaviour is similar to that of a pig.
1.2 Simile
• An indirect comparison using the words like or as.
• e.g. He eats like a pig.
• The comparison: the manner in which he is eating resembles
that of a pig.
1.3 Personification
• A comparison in which inanimate (non-living) objects or
abstract ideas are given human (living) characteristics.
• e.g. The wind whistled softly through the trees.
• The comparison: the sound of the wind is compared to the
sound of a person whistling.
Figurative Language
2. EXAGGERATION AND UNDERSTATEMENT
2.11 Hyperbole
• An over-exaggeration of something
• e.g. We ran like lightning to avoid getting caught.
• The over-exaggeration: it is not humanly possible to run like lightning.
2.2 Litotes
• A deliberate understatement using a negative where something is
presented as worse or smaller than it actually is.
• e.g. Serena Williams is not the worst tennis player in
the world.
• The understatement: Serena Williams is actually one of
the greatest tennis players in the world.
2.3 Euphemism
• A deliberate understatement of something unpleasant that suggests
something is less unpleasant than it actually is.
• Euphemisms are often used in relation to sensitive topics like death,
failure, and illness.
• e.g. She has a fuller figure.
• The euphemism: she is fat.
2.4 Innuendo
• Conveying meaning by making a hint or suggestion; usually not a
direct statement.
• e.g. Could I interest you in a breath mint?
• Suggestion: the person has bad breath.
Figurative Language
3. SOUNDS
3.1 Alliteration
• The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
words. The effect creates a sense of harmony
• e.g. She sells sea shells on the sea shore.
• Advertisements often use alliteration because it helps
people to remember the product.
3.2 Assonance
• When two or more vowel sounds within words rhyme, the
internal rhyme has a pleasing, musical quality to it.
• e.g. How now, brown cow.
• The length of the vowel sound determines the kind of effect
that is created – longer sounds lull readers, while shorter
sounds create quick, sharp movements.
3.3 Onomatopoeia
• When words imitate or recreate sounds
• e.g. buzz, bang, crunch, crackle
Figurative Language
4. OPPOSITES
4.1 Irony
• The expression of meaning by saying the opposite of what you
actually think.
• e.g. When your teacher is waiting for someone to answer a
question, and says “Don’t all jump in at once!”
4.1.1 Sarcasm
• Irony that is intended to be hurtful
• e.g. Your younger brother drops a glass of water, to which you
respond, “Great throw, Michael Jordan!”
4.1.2 Dramatic Irony
• When the audience is aware of something
that the characters are unaware of.
• Typically used to increase tension as the
reader is left in suspense until the unknown
information is revealed to the characters.
• e.g. Someone who teases a friend about losing
their phone only to realise they’ve also lost
their phone.
Figurative Language
4. OPPOSITES
4.1.3 Situational Irony
• Situational irony lies in the difference between what you expect
to happen and what actually happens.
• e.g. an Olympic swimmer drowning in a pool, or a professional
race car driver dying in a car accident
4.2 Antithesis
• A group of words that contain two contrasting ideas
• e.g. “To err is human. To forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope
• Contrasting ideas: to err (make a mistake) and to forgive; and
being human versus being divine
4.3 Oxymoron
• Similar to antithesis; but the contrasting words are placed
close together
• e.g. bitter sweet
4.4 Paradox
• A seemingly absurd contradiction which, upon closer
examination, is found to contain truth – kind of like an
expanded oxymoron
• e.g. If I know anything, it’s that I know nothing.