Simile

1. Simile A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another, using some connective word such as like, as, so, than, or a verb such as resembles. It is used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.

2. When you compare a noun to a noun, the simile is usually introduced by like • The soul in the body is like a bird in a cage. • He fights like a lion • She is fragrant like a rose

3. When a verb or phrase is compared to a verb or phrase, asis used: • Yes, he is a cute puppy, but when he grows up he will be as big as a house • He was as hungry as a lion. • That spider was as fat as an elephant

4. Metaphor Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are different from each other but have some characteristics common between them.

5. Difference from Simile A metaphor develops a comparison which is different from a simile, in that we do not use words such as “like” or “as” to develop the comparison.

6. “He is the black sheep of the family” This is a metaphor because “He” is not a sheep and may not even black. However, this comparison is used to describe an association between the black sheep with that person. Black sheep are unusual and typically stay away from the herd, and appear as an outcast. In this way, the person shares a similar characteristics.

7. Other Examples • The eyes are the windows of the soul • Life is but a stage • He was boiling mad • The job was a breeze • I Am the bread of life

8. Analogy An analogy is a comparison of an idea or a thing with something that is quite different from it. It’s purpose is to explain a potentially difficult idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar

9. Example “The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun and the electrons are the planets revolving around the sun.”

10. Explanation In the example, an atomic structure is compared to a solar system by using “like”. Therefore, it is a simile. Metaphor is used to relate the nucleus to the sun and the electrons to the planets without using words “like” or “as’. In this example then, similes and metaphors are employed to develop an analogy.

11. Explanation The importance here is that the concept of a solar system is easy to understand and visualize, and we therefore can us it to explain the structure of an atom. Another example would be the use of a mouse trap to explain irreducible complexity as it relates to intelligent design.

12. Allusion A short, informal reference to a person, place, thing, event or idea, of historical, cultural, literary or political importance.

13. Examples • If you take his parking place, you can expect World War II all over again. • Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. • I can’t do that because I am not Superman • This game is going to be David vs. Goliath

14. Alliteration Alliteration is derived from Latin’s “Latira”. It means “letters of alphabet”. It is a rhetorical device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series.

15. Explanation An important point to remember here is that alliteration does not depend on letters but on sounds. So the phrase not knotty is alliterative, but cigarette chase is not.

16. Examples • But a better butter makes a batter better. • A big bully beats a baby boy. • Ah, what a delicious day! • Done well, alliteration is a satisfying sensation

17. Company Name Examples • Dunkin’ Donuts • PayPal • Best Buy • Coca-Cola • Chuckee Cheese’s • Bed Bath & Beyond • KrispyKreme • Life Lock

18. Personal Name Examples • Ronald Reagan • Sammy Sosa • Jesse Jackson • William Wordsworth • Mickey Mouse • Porky Pig • Lois Lane • Marilyn Monroe • Fred Flintstone • Donald Duck • Casey Kasem • Mark McGuire

19. Personification Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. These include attributes of form, character, feelings, behavior, and so on.

20. Examples • The sky weeps • Look at my car, she is a beauty • The wind whispered through the trees • The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. • Time and tide waits for none. • The fire swallowed the entire forest. • Pain’s crushing blow • That book spoke to me.

21. Anaphora Anaphorais the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

22. Example You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help little men by tearing down big men. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence. And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves. ~ William John Henry Boetcker

23. Other Examples • In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace. ~Richard de Bury • My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration.

24. Epistrophe Epiphora, also known as Epistrophe, is a stylistic device in which a word or a phrase is repeated at the end of successive sentences, phrases or clauses.

25. Examples • Five percent of the people think; ten percent of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think ~ Thomas Edison • The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. ~ Albert Einstein

26. Hyperbole Hyperbole is a figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. It is derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting”. Do not however, exaggerate everything, but treat hyperbole like an exclamation point, to be used sparingly.

27. Everyday Examples • My grandmother is as old as dirt! • This package weighs a ton! • I feel like I have the world on my shoulders! • I am dying of shame! • You have a thousand excuses! • We have done it this way since Jesus was born!

28. Onomatopoeia A word, which imitates the natural sounds of a thing, which it describes. Its pronunciation imitates the sound the word describes. It creates a sound effect that makes the thing being described more expressive and interesting.

29. Sentence Examples • The gushing stream flows in the forest. • The buzzing bee flew away. • The sack fell into the river with a splash. • The books fell on the table with a loud thump.

30. Word Examples • Meow • Moo • Neigh • Tweet • Oink • Baa • Slam • Pow • Screech • Bang • Blam • Fizz • Click • Whirr • Crush • Sizzle • Crunch • Wring • Wrench • Gouge • Grind • Mangle • Zap • Roar • Whimper • Snap, Crackle, and Pop

31. References • http://literarydevices.net/ • http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-rhetorical-devices.html • http://virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm • http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricaldevicesinsound.htm