Figures of speech

Figures of speech use words to create particular visual images and sound effects.

Visual / Language devices

simile He was as rich as King Midas.

A direct comparison using the words The soldier stood rigid like a tree.
as or like.
metaphor The man was a rock when things got
A comparison where one thing is said difficult.
to be something else. The children are little treasures.
personification The trees were dancing with the wind.
Human qualities are given to inanimate The flowers begged for water.
objects.
anthropomorphism ‘I don’t like carrots,’ said the baby rabbit.
Human qualities are given to animals. Used in The fox was wearing a beautiful, tweed
many books, animations and cartoons. jacket with a yellow bow tie.

Word play

pun I’m drawn to art.

A clever play on words involving the multiple I need to look for my watch, but I don’t
meanings of an expression, or two expressions have the time.
that sound similar.
rhetorical questions Why do we allow the media to decide
A question not expecting an answer, but done what is the perfect body shape?
for emphasis or effect.
spoonerism You’ve tasted two worms.
A mix up of the initial sounds of spoken (You’ve wasted two terms.)
words. I’m fighting a liar.
(I’m lighting a fire.)
malapropism Our home is skirt by sea.
The unintentional use of incorrect, similar (Our home is girt by sea.)
sounding words.

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 contradictions

irony This explanation is crystal clear.

Implies the opposite of what is actually said.

sarcasm Obviously you put in a tremendous

Similar to irony but is used to humiliate, hurt effort to come last in the race.
or insult.

oxymoron The silence was deafening in the

Puts two contradictory words next to waiting room.
each other.

exaggeration or understatement

hyperbole The cook made enough food to feed

An exaggeration aiming at humour an army.
or emphasis.
My bag weighs a tonne.

euphemism She passed away yesterday.

The substitution of something pleasant or
agreeable for something that may offend. They lost their lives in the war.

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© Owned by State of NSW through the Department of Education and Communities 2011. This work may be freely reproduced and distributed 2/2
for non-commercial educational purposes only. Permission must be received from the department for all other uses.