Figures of Speech in Literature

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Questions and Answers

In a poem, a line reads: "The wind whispered secrets through the trembling trees." Which figure of speech is being used here?

  • Onomatopoeia
  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Personification (correct)

A character in a novel says, "This is the beginning of the end." What figure of speech is used here?

  • Hyperbole
  • Antithesis
  • Paradox (correct)
  • Oxymoron

In literature, describing a villain as "a wolf in sheep's clothing" is an example of which figure of speech?

  • Metaphor (correct)
  • Metonymy
  • Simile
  • Synecdoche

The phrase "deafening silence" is an example of which figure of speech?

<p>Oxymoron (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In poetry, referring to the "scepter" to represent royal authority is an example of:

<p>Metonymy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The statement "He is not unfamiliar with the subject" is an example of:

<p>Litotes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a speech, the repetition of the phrase "We shall" at the beginning of successive clauses is an example of:

<p>Anaphora (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describing a character's betrayal as "Et tu, Brute?" is an example of:

<p>Allusion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is used in the statement "Give me liberty or give me death!"?

<p>Antithesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the line "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons," what figure of speech is being used?

<p>Metonymy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the figure of speech used in the line "To be or not to be, that is the question."

<p>Antithesis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is found in the statement "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others?"

<p>Irony (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the line "Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink." what figure of speech is being used?

<p>Irony (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which figure of speech is used when a comedian says, "I love being ignored. It makes me feel so special."?

<p>Irony (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech does "The ball danced on the rim before finally falling in." use?

<p>Personification (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech does "Love is like a rose---beautiful, but full of thorns." use?

<p>Simile (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The line "The bright stars shone like a million eyes watching me from above." is an example of which kind of figurative language?

<p>Simile (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is employed in the phrase "Beauty is truth, truth beauty,---that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."?

<p>Paradox (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is used in "The silence was so loud it hurt my ears."?

<p>Paradox (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is used in "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times!"?

<p>Hyperbole (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the phrase "Death lays his icy hand on kings"?

<p>Personification (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech does "The leaves whispered in the wind." use?

<p>Personification (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the statement "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"?

<p>Antithesis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is used in "She was as graceful as an elephant on ice skates."?

<p>Simile (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the sentence "He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided."?

<p>Irony (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the statement "Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man."?

<p>Irony (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is used in "We have an open-and-shut case---except for the fact that there's no evidence, no suspect, and no crime."?

<p>Irony (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the sentence "His face was ashen and his heart was iron"?

<p>Metaphor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech does "His eyes were oceans, deep and full of mystery." use?

<p>Metaphor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the phrase "A fool's paradise"?

<p>Oxymoron (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the statement "O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die."?

<p>Apostrophe (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in the line "She dwelt among the untrodden ways beside the springs of Dove."?

<p>Symbolism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is employed in the phrase 'Parting is such sweet sorrow'?

<p>Oxymoron (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device is used in the sentence 'The trees waved their arms in the wind'?

<p>Personification (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence uses onomatopoeia to create a vivid image?

<p>Tick-tock, the clock echoed in the silent room. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences uses a simile?

<p>His smile was like sunshine breaking through the clouds. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device is used in the sentence 'The silence was deafening'?

<p>Paradox (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Personification

Attributing human qualities to non-human entities.

Paradox

A statement that contradicts itself but may reveal a truth.

Irony

A situation where the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.

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Simile

A figure of speech comparing two different things using 'like' or 'as'.

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Metonymy

Replacing the name of a thing with the name of something else closely associated.

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Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole.

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Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an absent person or a personified object.

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Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

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Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

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Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates a sound.

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Antithesis

A rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of juxtaposition.

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Symbolism

Using symbols to represent ideas or qualities in literature.

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Litotes

An understatement by using double negatives, like 'not unfamiliar.'

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Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

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Euphemism

A mild or indirect word substituted for one considered harsh.

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Study Notes

Figures of Speech - Study Notes

  • Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things.

    • Example: "The wind whispered secrets through the trembling trees."
  • Metaphor: A direct comparison without using "like" or "as".

    • Example: "He is a wolf in sheep's clothing."
    • Example: "The classroom was a war zone after the exam."
    • Example: "She has a heart of gold."
    • Example: "The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold"
  • Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".

    • Example: "She was as graceful as an elephant on ice skates."
    • Example: "Love is like a rose—beautiful, but full of thorns."
    • Example: "His smile was like sunshine breaking through the clouds."
  • Hyperbole: An extreme exaggeration.

    • Example: "I have a ton of homework to finish tonight!"
    • Example: "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times!"
    • Example: "The silence was deafening."
  • Paradox: A statement that seems contradictory but may be true.

    • Example: "Less is more."
    • Example: "This is the beginning of the end."
    • Example: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."
  • Oxymoron: Two contradictory words together.

    • Example: "deafening silence"
    • Example: "a fool's paradise"
    • Example: "a heart of stone"
  • Allusion: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.

    • Example: Describing a character's betrayal as "Et tu, Brute?"
  • Metonymy: A figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it is closely associated.

    • Example: Referring to "the scepter" to represent royal authority
    • Example: "He is a man of the cloth."
  • Synecdoche: A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole, or vice versa.

    • Example: "All hands on deck!"
    • Example: "all the eyes watching me"
    • Example: "the pen is mightier than the sword"
  • Apostrophe: Addressing an inanimate object as if it were alive.

    • Example: "O Death, where is thy sting?"
  • Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality.

    • Example: "The silence was so loud it hurt my ears."
    • Example: "I love being ignored."
  • Litotes: Emphasizing a point by using a negative statement to make the positive statement stronger

    • Example: "He is not unfamiliar with the subject."
  • Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

    • Example: "The fog comes on little cat feet."
  • Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human entities.

    • Example: "The leaves whispered in the wind."
  • Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. -Example: "We will fight. We will endure. We will win."

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