puns
a pun is a play on words; a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings
onomatopoeia
onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions to which they refer
euphemism
a euphemism is a polite expression used in place of words or phrases that otherwise might be considered harsh or unpleasant to hear
oxymoron
an oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. The incongruity may be accidental or deliberate (as in the case of humor)
simile
a simile is a figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two things, with the use of a connective word such as 'like' or 'as'
personification
personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, idea or animal is given human characteristics. whatever is being personified is portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings
hyperbole
hyperbole is extreme exaggeration used to make a point. this literary device is used by writers and poets, but is also common in everyday speech, as it is used to stress a point and emphasize an idea
Metaphors
a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common