Figurative Language and Rhetorical Devices List – Flashcards

Non-literal or figurative language refers to words, and groups of words, that exaggerate or alter the usual meanings of the words; the literal meaning of the words is not true /does not make sense, but "implies a non-literal meaning" which does make sense or that could be true.

The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.

A word or phrase denoting one kind of object or idea used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them ("the ships ploughs the sea.") It is generally an implicit comparison (doesn't use like or as): "her lips are roses."

A simile is similar to a metaphor in that it compared two unlike things; however, a smile compares using "like" or "as". For example, "she ran like the wind".

Hyperbole is a deliberate over statement or exaggeration of speech for an effect. In the example "the ball bounce to the sky," the ball did not literally reach the sky, but the hyperbolic expression suggests the ball bounces extremely high, so it seemed as though it touched the sky.

Describing an inanimate object with human or lifelike qualities is called personification. The sentence "The sun smiled down on me" depicts the sun as "smiling" to express the idea that sun rays feel friendly and warm, although a sun is incapable of literally smiling.

Detailed description which incorporates many of the five senses- sight, sound, smell, taste and touch- is called imagery. When a writer uses imagery, he or she creates a "mental picture" for the reader. That means the descriptions are so vivid the reader can almost imagine he or she is there. Many of the other figurative language devices can be examples of imagery.

An oxymoron is an example of figurative language that contains two seemingly contradictory elements, such as "wise fool," "jumbo shrimp" or "icy hot".

A seemingly contradictory or absurd statement that expresses a possible truth "To ensure peace, we much prepare for war."

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. For instance, the word "crown" can refer to a King or a monarchical system, or even an entire royal family. Journalists often refer to the US government as "Washington", as in "We'll wait to see how Washington responds to this recent change in developments. "

(A form of metonymy): Substituting a part for a whole or a whole for a part. "Fifty sail' for "fifty ships"; "20 dollars a head" to mean "20 dollars a person."

The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

The use of recurrent vowel sounds in the interior of words ("sweet, sleeps, creature").

The use of recurrent consonant sounds in the interior of words ("Their little battle turned bitter")

The use of recurrent consonant sounds at the beginning of subsequent words (eg in Shakespeare's Sonnet 30: sessions, sweet, silent summon things past...)

The repetition of words at the beginning of a series of parallel syntactical units ("this sceptered isle, ...this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England")

rearrangement of normal word order for effect (Noun-Verb-Direct Object may become N- DO-V; eg "gentle my lord" in Shakespeare means "my gentle lord")

Directly addressing an abstraction or someone absent ("O time!" ; "death, be not proud..")

The reference to or echo of familiar expressions, persons or objects from a cultural tradition (esp. biblical, classical, proverbial); eg a "prodigal son" alludes to the biblical parable.