1. Introducing…
Figures of Speech

2. Introduction
Authors often use figures of speech in both literature and poetry to enhance their writing.
Figures of speech present ordinary things in new or unusual ways.
They communicate ideas that go beyond the words’ usual, literal meanings.

3. Objectives By the end of this class, you should be able to:
Recognize nine figures of speech
Identify figures of speech in poems

4. 1. Imagery
Definition:
Descriptive writing that appeals to the senses (sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing)
Think of it this way:
When a writer uses imagery, the descriptive writing helps create a picture or image in your mind.
Imagery = Mental Image

5. Imagery
Example:
The hot July sun cast an orange glare over the ocean waves.

6. Imagery Another example:
The cool waves crashed over my feet as we walked along the gritty sand.

7. Remember: When a writer uses imagery, he or she chooses words that will appeal to some or all of the reader’s five senses.
Think about which of the sentences most appeals to your five senses.

8. Comparing two unlike things using like or as
2. Simile
Definition:
Comparing two unlike things using like or as
Example:
She ran like the wind.
Explanation:
Running and the wind are unlike things. When you compare the speed of running to the speed of the wind, you are using a simile.

9. Simile More examples: The snow was as thick as a blanket.
She was as light as a feather.
You are acting like a baby.
He felt like a bug under a microscope.
His temper was as explosive as a volcano.

10. Try Again When a writer uses simile…
Two unlike things are being compared
The words like or as are being used to make the comparison
Click the arrow to try again.

11. 3. Metaphor
The definition of a metaphor is similar to the definition of a simile but there is one important difference between the two.
Remember the definition of simile has two parts:
Two unlike things are being compared
The words like or as are used to make the comparison
There will also be two parts to the definition of a metaphor.

12. Use the following examples to figure out the definition of metaphor.
Metaphor vs. Simile
Use the following examples to figure out the definition of metaphor.
Simile: Fido is like a teddy bear.
Simile: Fido is as soft as a teddy bear.
Metaphor: Fido is a teddy bear.
Simile: That boy is like a pig.
Simile: That boy is as messy as a pig.
Metaphor: That boy is a pig.

13. Take another look at these examples.
Try Again
Take another look at these examples.
Simile: Fido is like a teddy bear.
Simile: Fido is as soft as a teddy bear.
Metaphor: Fido is a teddy bear.
Consider this…Are the two things being compared like or unlike each other? Are there keywords that are used in one figure of speech that are not used in the other?
Click the arrow to try again.

14. 4. Alliteration Brad wore his blue and brown blazer.
Take a look at the following examples of alliteration. You will later select the best definition for this figure of speech.
Brad wore his blue and brown blazer.
Hank held his head high.
Larry loves lemonade and lolly pops.
Six swans went swimming in the sea.

15. Alliteration Have you figured it out yet?
Here are more examples to help refine your definition.
Alliteration  Sue shook her silky silver hair as the sun was setting.
NOT Alliteration  Elizabeth easily eyed an elephant in the elevator.

16. Which of the following is the best definition for alliteration
Which of the following is the best definition for alliteration? (Click on a definition to select your answer.)
Repetition of beginning consonant sounds
Repetition of beginning vowel sounds
Repetition of ending consonant sounds
Repetition of ending vowel sounds
Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

17. You’re Right!
Alliteration is the repetition of beginning consonant sounds, such as “Six silly swans went swimming in the sea.”
It’s important to note that not every word in the sentence has to begin with the same letter in order for it to be considered alliteration.
In the above example, only 5 out of 8 words begin with an “s”.

18. My backpack weighs a ton.
5. Hyperbole
Think about the following examples of hyperbole. You will later select the best definition for this figure of speech.
My backpack weighs a ton.

19. Hyperbole
Another example:
The wolf was 100 feet high.

20. Hyperbole You could have knocked me over with a feather.
More examples:
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
I’ve told you a million times!

21. Hyperbole is a major exaggeration or overstatement.
Authors use this figure of speech to emphasize a point or add humor.
Think about many times in a day you exaggerate what you say and use hyperbole.

22. 6. Onomatopoeia Buzz Ring When you see this: You often hear this:
Buzz and ring are both examples of onomatopoeia.
Start thinking about what you think is best definition for this figure of speech.

23. Onomatopoeia
When you see this:
You often hear this:
Moo
Boom
Quack

24. Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like its meaning.
It can also be described as the use of a word which imitates a sound.
Other examples include: screech, whirr, sizzle, crunch, bang, pow, zap, roar, growl, click, snap, crackle, and pop.

25. 7. Personification Definition:
Giving human traits or characteristics to something that isn’t human, such as animals, objects or non-living things
Think of it this way:
When a writer uses personification, he or she gives characteristics of a person to an animal, object or thing.

26. Personification Example: The willow tree shook her long hair.
Explanation:
The example is referring to the way that the willow tree’s long branches sway in the wind. By saying “shook her long hair”, the tree is given characteristics of a human.

27. Personification More examples: The car danced across the icy road.
The angry clouds marched across the sky.
The stars in the clear night sky winked at me.
The tulips nodded their heads in the breeze.

28. 8. Assonance Definition:
When two or more words repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds.
Example:
“Johnny went here and there and everywhere”

29. 9. SYNECDOCHE Definition:
The whole is replaced by the part or the part by the whole.
Example:
50 heads of cattle
Explanation:
“head” is used to mean whole animals.

30. More examples:
“Best brains in the country”