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.
For more homework help, tips and info sheets go to www.schoolatoz.com.au