Metaphor

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Simile

A simile compares two different things. We say that something is like or as something else.

➜ E.g. Jim is as quiet as a mouse.

➜ E.g. Jim is quiet like a mouse.

In these examples, the simile compares two different things that are compared due to their common characteristic which is their quietness.

This makes the sentence more interesting and creates an image in the reader’s mind rather than just simply ‘Jim is quiet’.

Remember that a simile is a figure of speech. This means that it shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

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Personification

Personification is when we assign human qualities to something that isn’t human. These can be movements, emotions, or senses.

➜ E.g. The tree is dancing in the wind.

We know that trees don’t have the human quality of dancing however, this language technique makes the sentence more interesting and creates an image in the reader’s mind. It sounds more interesting than just saying, “The tree is moving in the wind.”

Remember that personification is a figure of speech; therefore, it shouldn’t be taken literally, as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

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Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it describes.
It is a language technique used to make it more interesting and helps the reader hear the sound in their minds.

➜ E.g. The water went splash when I jumped into it.

This emphasises the sound that the water makes.

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Idiom

An idiom is a group of words that have a different meaning from the literal meaning. They are interesting ways to get a point across.

➜ E.g. Break a leg.

This doesn’t literally mean to break a leg, rather it means good luck.
It’s important to learn the meanings of different idioms as they are commonly used in everyday English.

Remember that an idiom is a figure of speech. This means that it shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

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Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of words.

Alliteration is used to make writing interesting for the reader- usually in poems. It also creates rhythm and mood.
It is important to note that different repeated sounds will have different effects on the reader.

➜ E.g. The sly snake slithers slowly in the sand.

The repeated S sound in the sentence suggests snake-like qualities such as the movement of the snake and danger.

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Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement. It describes something to be worse or better than it actually is.
It’s a way to catch the reader’s attention and to make writing more interesting.

So hyperbole shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

➜ E.g. I was dying of laughter.

This is an exaggerated statement to emphasise that I was laughing so much.

Remember that hyperbole is a figure of speech. This means that it shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

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Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a sentence or phrase with two opposite or contradicting words in a sentence.
For example, tall and short – The are two opposite.

Oxymorons are used to interest the reader and cause the reader to pay attention to what they are reading.

➜ E.g. The chair is pretty ugly.

Pretty and ugly are opposites.

Remember that an oxymoron is a figure of speech. This means that it shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

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Pun

A pun is a humorous use of words that convey another meaning.

It is essentially a clever play on words where the words can have more than one meaning, or the words can sound like they mean something else.

Puns are commonly used in everyday spoken English. We can also use puns in writing to make our writing more interesting to the reader and create a humorous effect.

➜ E.g. I like kids, but I don’t think I could eat a whole one.

In this example, the word kid has two meanings – it can refer to a child or a young goat.
So this pun adds a humorous effect to the sentence

Remember that a pun is a figure of speech. This means that it shouldn’t be taken literally as the words in the sentence convey a different meaning.

What is assonance? 
Assonance is the repetition of the same vowel sound in a sentence.

This literary device is used to make writing interesting and fun for the reader – usually in poems. It also creates rhythm, sets the mood, and allows the sentences to flow.

The vowels are A E I O U. Each vowel has 2 vowel sounds – short and long vowel sound.

➜ E.g. Sam claps his hands and stamps his feet. 🙌

In this example, the vowel short a is repeated.