Oxymorons, Idioms and Puns Review
Idiom
A little birdy told me we are having a test in science.
Pun
A play on words; usually funny. Example: The best way to communicate with a fish is to drop him a line.
Personification
Cars dance across the icy road.
Idiom
Did the cat get your tongue?
Metaphor
He is a shining star.
Simile
He is as brave as an lion.
Idiom
He is like a bull in a china cabinet breaking things everywhere he goes.
Idiom
He is like a fish out of water riding that horse.
Simile
Her eyes were as black as coal.
Metaphor
Her lovely voice was music to his ears.
Oxymoron
I had jumbo shrimp for dinner.
Pun
I recently spent money on detergent to unclog my kitchen sink. It was money down the drain.
Pun
I was a baker because I knead dough.
Pun
I wasn't originally going to get a brain transplant, but I changed my mind.
Pun
If I threw a cat out the window while driving would that be considered kitty litter?
Oxymoron
One medium large coffee please.
Oxymoron
Our next-door neighbor's dog is pretty ugly.
Simile
She is as blind as a bat.
Metaphor
The snow is a white blanket.
Oxymoron
This is an original copy of the United States constitution.
Metaphor
a comparison of 2 unlike things, not using like, as or than. Example: Music is Lauren's life blood.
Imagery
a description that creates clear pictures in the mind of the reader and appeals to the senses.
Why do authors use figurative language?
add detail and to make it more enjoyable to read.
Connotation
an idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its dictionary meaning. Example: Eagle - freedom, bravery.
Simile
compares 2 unlike things using like, as or than. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates.
Symbol (symbolism)
created when an author uses a person, object, or event to stand for, or symbolize, an event.
Denotation
dictionary meaning of a word. Example: Eagle - a bird of prey.
Why do authors care about the connotative meaning of a word?
draws out the reader's emotions and it can change the mood or tone of the writing.
Personification
gives human qualities to non-human objects. Example - The sun smiled down on the children.
A poem can...
have different meanings for different people; is meant to draw out emotions of the reader; and can have a meaning different than what is says.
Oxymoron
putting 2 words together that are contradictory. Example: pretty ugly.
Onomatopoeia
sizzle
Mood
the emotional response of the reader.
Tone
the writer's, or speaker's, attitude towards the topic.
Idiom
words or phrases commonly used that mean something else completely different than their literal (denotative) meaning. Example: I'm all ears.
Onomatopoeia
written sound effects in words. Example - boom, pop
