Figurative Language Techniques

Literary

Techniques

Speaking figuratively, that is

What are literary techniques?

Literary techniques are typical structures used by writers in their work to help
illustrate his or her message(s) in a simple manner to his or her readers.

Why do we use them?

When used properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate,
interpret and analyse a piece of literary work.

Skilled use of literary devices brings richness and clarity to a text.

It also makes the story far more interesting, fun to read and shows that your ideas
are well developed.

Figurative language

Language that does not mean exactly what it says, NOT LITERALLY

Here are 5 more types of figurative language that writers use:

●Onomatopoeia

●Oxymoron

●Idiom

●Alliteration

●Litotes

Onomatopoeia

The word onomatopoeia comes from two Greek words. It literally translates as
‘name I make’.

Can we guess what it means?

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia are words that imitate or copythe sound they describe.

Onomatopoeia

Examples of different onomatopoeia:

●Buzz - The bee buzzed in my ear.

●Boom - The boom of the fireworks scared the baby.

●Meow - The cat meowed for some milk.

●Bark - Bark! Bark! The dog woke me up.

●Swish - The swish of the basketball through the hoop excited the crowd.

●Sizzle - The sizzle of bacon on the griddle is music to my ears.

●Scratch - The scratching of the tree limb on the window was spooky

●Rustle - The papers rustled as they fell to the floor.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a literary device in which two contradictory ideas appear in
conjunction to create a poetic effect.

These contrasting ideas may be words or phrases and may be glued together or
spaced out in a sentence.

Oxymoron

For example, let’s take a look at the oxymoron ‘living-dead’.

It’s used to talk about zombies.

Now zombies are dead… right? But they are also animated and
‘living’ beings… but they are dead… but they move.

You see how each word contradicts each other

Living/Dead

Oxymoron

Here are some examples of common oxymorons:

●Living dead

●Cruel kindness

●Deafening silence

●Open secret

●Controlled chaos

●Sweet misery

●Genuinely fake

●The same difference

●Seriously funny

Idiom

An idiom is a saying that doesn’t mean exactly what is written; they have hidden
meanings.

They are phrases that have a meaning that is very different from its individual parts.
Unlike most sentences that have a literal meaning, idioms have figurative meaning.
A literal meaning is when each word in a sentence stays true to its actual meaning.

The ball is in your court.

Idioms

The ball is in your court

What does it mean?

It’s your decision

Alliteration

Alliteration is the stylistic device of using a series of words that begin with the same
consonant sound.

Characteristically, alliteration is the use of a series of words beginning with the same
consonant or syllabic sound. While alliteration doesn't usually give much added
depth to writing, it can add humour and expression.

Busy buzzing, the bee behaved beautifully.

Alliteration

As mentioned, it might not add to the depth of meaning of your writing, but it will
make it sound better. Alliteration can make your words more engaging – and
entertaining. And, when your writing engages your audience they are more likely to
pay attention and remember what you say.

Larry’s leaping lizard

Alliteration

Which sentence gives more description?

The butterfly flew past.

The butterfly brushed briefly against the beautiful bush.

Alliteration

Not every word has to be alliterative.

You can use prepositions such as ‘the’ and 'of' and pronouns such as 'his' and ‘her’
and still maintain the alliterative effect.

Litotes

Litotes is a figure of speech that is negative and used to understate emotion and
sometimes as a comedic device.

An example of a litotes is:

"My new glasses don't look bad."

Litotes

The word 'bad' is used however the double negative in this sentence is created by
the use of 'not' before it. They are saying something looks good as the word bad is
negated with the double negative.

Litotes

Another example is:

"This isn't rocket science."

This example means something is easy and is not complicated like rocket science.

Litotes

A litotes is a type of understatement. Understatement means intentionally using
words that suggest a situation is less important than it actually is. You form litotes by
negating the opposite of what you actually mean. The following statements are all
examples of litotes:

●You won’t regret it.

●This pizza isn’t bad.

●I’ve hardly had a bite to eat today.

The word litotes comes from a Greek word that means simple or plain.

Multiple Choice

What is an oxymoron?

• When you place two opposite words together to create a figure of speech.

• A type of word that sound like what it describes.

• An expression that has a different meaning to it's literal meaning

• A device that uses negative words to express a positive idea

• A group of words that use the repetition of the first sound to create an effect.

Multiple Choice

What is alliteration?

• When you place two opposite words together to create a figure of speech.

• A type of word that sound like what it describes.

• An expression that has a different meaning to it's literal meaning

• A device that uses negative words to express a positive idea

• A group of words that use the repetition of the first sound to create an effect.

Multiple Choice

What is an onomatopoeia?

• When you place two opposite words together to create a figure of speech.

• A type of word that sound like what it describes.

• An expression that has a different meaning to it's literal meaning

• A device that uses negative words to express a positive idea

• A group of words that use the repetition of the first sound to create an effect.

Multiple Choice

What is an idiom?

• When you place two opposite words together to create a figure of speech.

• A type of word that sound like what it describes.

• An expression that has a different meaning to it's literal meaning

• A device that uses negative words to express a positive idea

• A group of words that use the repetition of the first sound to create an effect.

Multiple Choice

What are litotes?

• When you place two opposite words together to create a figure of speech.

• A type of word that sound like what it describes.

• An expression that has a different meaning to it's literal meaning

• A device that uses negative words to express a positive idea

• A group of words that use the repetition of the first sound to create an effect.

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

The weather isn't great today

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

The child bounced the ball at the backyard barbeque.

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

Who let the cat out of the bag?

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

1. The horse’s hooves clip-clopped on the cobblestones.

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

You won't be sorry you bought this knife set.

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

James was acting like a massive baby because his mum said he couldn't have a chocolate.

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

All of the millionaire’s money only made him more melancholy.

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

She isn't exactly a world class chef

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

Pull yourself together, man!!

• Litotes

• Alliteration

• Idioms

• Onomatopoeia

• Oxymoron

Open Ended

Write your own sentence/ mini paragraph where you use an onomatopoeia.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence/ mini paragraph where you use an idiom.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence/ mini paragraph where you use al.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence/ mini paragraph where you use an oxymoron.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence/ mini paragraph where you use litotes.