1. Well, son, I'll tell you:1. Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.It's had tacks in it,It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And splinters,And boards torn up,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor--And places with no carpet on the floor--Bare.Bare.

(Langston Hughes, "Mother to (Langston Hughes, "Mother to Son")Son")

(a) synecdoche(a) synecdoche(b) metaphor(b) metaphor(c) irony(c) irony(d) pun(d) pun

B. metaphorB. metaphor

2. Why should white people be running 2. Why should white people be running all the stores in our community? Why all the stores in our community? Why should white people be running the should white people be running the banks of our community? Why should banks of our community? Why should the economy of our community be in the economy of our community be in the hands of the white man? Why?the hands of the white man? Why?

(Malcolm X)(Malcolm X)(a) antithesis(a) antithesis(b) litotes(b) litotes(c) anaphora(c) anaphora(d) understatement(d) understatement

C. anaphoraC. anaphora

3. Substituting the word “euthanasia” 3. Substituting the word “euthanasia” for “mercy killing" or "killing the for “mercy killing" or "killing the terminally ill.”terminally ill.”

(a) Hyperbole(a) Hyperbole

(b) Euphemism(b) Euphemism

(c) Assonance(c) Assonance

(d) Oxymoron(d) Oxymoron

B. euphemismB. euphemism

4. I had so much homework last night 4. I had so much homework last night that I needed a pickup truck to carry that I needed a pickup truck to carry all my books home!all my books home!

(a) synecdoche(a) synecdoche(b) onomatopoeia(b) onomatopoeia(c) pun(c) pun(d) hyperbole (d) hyperbole

D. hyperboleD. hyperbole

5. Let's just say that Ms. Hilton is not 5. Let's just say that Ms. Hilton is not the brightest bulb on the Christmas the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.tree.

(a) paradox(a) paradox(b) litotes(b) litotes(c) apostrophe(c) apostrophe(d) chiasmus (d) chiasmus

B. litotesB. litotes

6. The chug-a, chug-a, chug-a of the 6. The chug-a, chug-a, chug-a of the train echoed down the hill, while a train echoed down the hill, while a cloud of smoke rose up to the blue cloud of smoke rose up to the blue western sky.western sky.

(a) simile(a) simile

(b) metonymy(b) metonymy(c) anaphora(c) anaphora(d) onomatopoeia(d) onomatopoeia

D. onomatopoeiaD. onomatopoeia

7. But the prisoner would not answer, 7. But the prisoner would not answer, he only lay with wide, he only lay with wide, dark, brightdark, bright, , eyes, like a bound animal.eyes, like a bound animal.

(D. H. Lawrence, (D. H. Lawrence, England, My England, My EnglandEngland))

(a) oxymoron(a) oxymoron(b) euphemism(b) euphemism(c) anaphora(c) anaphora(d) personification (d) personification

A. oxymoronA. oxymoron

8. You have a lot of work to do, so I'll 8. You have a lot of work to do, so I'll lend you a hand.lend you a hand.

(a) assonance(a) assonance(b) apostrophe(b) apostrophe(c) irony(c) irony

(d) synecdoche (d) synecdoche

D. synecdocheD. synecdoche

9. The wind had blown off, leaving a loud, 9. The wind had blown off, leaving a loud, bright night, with wings beating in the trees bright night, with wings beating in the trees and a persistent organ sound as the full and a persistent organ sound as the full bellows of the earth blew the frogs full of bellows of the earth blew the frogs full of life.life.

(F. Scott Fitzgerald, (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great The Great GatsbyGatsby))

(a) chiasmus(a) chiasmus

(b) alliteration(b) alliteration(c) pathetic fallacy(c) pathetic fallacy

(d) oxymoron(d) oxymoron

B. alliteration B. alliteration and and

C. pathetic fallacyC. pathetic fallacy

10. O Western wind, when wilt thou blow10. O Western wind, when wilt thou blowThat the small rain down can rain?That the small rain down can rain?Christ, that my love were in my arms,Christ, that my love were in my arms,And I in my bed again!And I in my bed again!

(Anonymous, "O Western (Anonymous, "O Western Wind")Wind")

(a) litotes(a) litotes(b) paradox(b) paradox(c) apostrophe(c) apostrophe(d) anaphora (d) anaphora

C. apostropheC. apostrophe

11. The heart of a fool is in his mouth, 11. The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.heart.

(Benjamin Franklin)(Benjamin Franklin)(a) hyperbole(a) hyperbole

(b) chiasmus(b) chiasmus(c) litotes(c) litotes

(d) anaphora (d) anaphora

B. chiasmusB. chiasmus

12. We talked with each other about 12. We talked with each other about each othereach otherThough neither of us spoke —Though neither of us spoke —

(Emily (Emily Dickinson)Dickinson)(a) metonymy(a) metonymy

(b) paradox(b) paradox(c) synecdoche(c) synecdoche(d) personification (d) personification

B. paradoxB. paradox

13. The earth laughs beneath my heavy 13. The earth laughs beneath my heavy feetfeetAt the blasphemy in my old jangly At the blasphemy in my old jangly walkwalk

(Billy Corgan, "Thirty-(Billy Corgan, "Thirty-three")three")

(a) euphemism(a) euphemism(b) simile(b) simile

(c) antithesis(c) antithesis(d) personification(d) personification

D. personificationD. personification

14. I dig my toes into the sand.14. I dig my toes into the sand.The ocean looks likeThe ocean looks likeA thousand diamonds strewnA thousand diamonds strewnAcross a blue blanket.Across a blue blanket.

(Incubus, "Wish You Were (Incubus, "Wish You Were Here")Here")

(a) chiasmus(a) chiasmus

(b) simile(b) simile(c) onomatopoeia(c) onomatopoeia(d) synecdoche (d) synecdoche

B. simileB. simile

15. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou 15. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.eat bread.

(Virgil)(Virgil)(a) simile(a) simile

(b) irony(b) irony(c) metonymy(c) metonymy(d) assonance (d) assonance

c. metonymyc. metonymy

16. Why do we wait until a pig is dead 16. Why do we wait until a pig is dead to to curecure it? it?

(a) pun(a) pun(b) personification(b) personification(c) anaphora(c) anaphora

(d) synecdoche(d) synecdoche

a. puna. pun

17. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of 17. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way."direct the other way."

(Charles Dickens, (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two A Tale of Two CitiesCities))

(a) antithesis(a) antithesis(b) litotes(b) litotes(c) simile(c) simile(d) understatement (d) understatement

a. antithesisa. antithesis

18. And he was rich, yes, richer than a king,18. And he was rich, yes, richer than a king,And admirably schooled in every grace:And admirably schooled in every grace:In fine--we thought that he was everythingIn fine--we thought that he was everythingTo make us wish that we were in his place.To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked and waited for the light,So on we worked and waited for the light,And went without the meat and cursed the And went without the meat and cursed the bread,bread,And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,Went home and put a bullet in his head.Went home and put a bullet in his head.

(E. A. Robinson, "Richard (E. A. Robinson, "Richard Cory")Cory")

(a) chiasmus(a) chiasmus(b) litotes(b) litotes(c) antithesis(c) antithesis(d) irony(d) irony

D. ironyD. irony

19. 19. Dr. PetrovDr. Petrov: "This is most unnerving, : "This is most unnerving, Captain. The reason for having two Captain. The reason for having two missile keys is so that no one man missile keys is so that no one man may -- " may -- "

Captain RamiusCaptain Ramius: "May what?"  : "May what?" 

The Hunt for Red The Hunt for Red OctoberOctober

aposiopesisaposiopesis

20. Brutus: Not that I loved Caesar 20. Brutus: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. less, but that I loved Rome more.

Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Julius Julius CaesarCaesar

antithesisantithesis

21. For Brutus, as you know, was 21. For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, O you gods, Caesar's angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him. how dearly Caesar loved him.

Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Julius Julius CaesarCaesar

apostropheapostrophe

23. One nuclear bomb can ruin your 23. One nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day .whole day .

meiosismeiosis

24. 24. He is a man of the cloth He is a man of the cloth

metonymymetonymy

substitution of one word for another substitution of one word for another which it suggests which it suggests

25. Lolita, 25. Lolita, light of my life, fire of my light of my life, fire of my loins loins..

Vladimir Nabokov, Vladimir Nabokov, LolitaLolita

AppositionApposition

Placing side-by-side two coordinate Placing side-by-side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of as an explanation or modification of the first. the first.

26. The English (it must be owned) are 26. The English (it must be owned) are rather a foul-mouthed nation.rather a foul-mouthed nation.

William HazlittWilliam Hazlitt

ParenthesisParenthesis

27. 27. "War is peace.""War is peace.""Freedom is slavery.""Freedom is slavery.""Ignorance is strength.""Ignorance is strength."

George Orwell, George Orwell, 19841984

ParadoxParadox

A statement that appears to contradict A statement that appears to contradict itself. itself.

28. "Life is like an onion: You peel it off 28. "Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep."you weep."

Carl Carl SandburgSandburg

similesimile

29. "Take thy face hence."29. "Take thy face hence."

William Shakespeare, William Shakespeare, MacbethMacbeth

synecdochesynecdoche

30. "It is not how old you are, but how 30. "It is not how old you are, but how you are old."you are old."

Jules Renard Jules Renard

antimetaboleantimetabole

A verbal pattern in which the second A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced half of an expression is balanced against the first, but with the words against the first, but with the words in reverse grammatical order (A-B-C, in reverse grammatical order (A-B-C, C-B-A). C-B-A).

31. Never let a fool kiss you--or a kiss 31. Never let a fool kiss you--or a kiss fool you.fool you.

ChiasmusChiasmus

A scheme (a type of antithesis) in A scheme (a type of antithesis) in which the second half of an which the second half of an expression is balanced against the expression is balanced against the first with the parts reversed. first with the parts reversed.

Note that a chiasmus includes Note that a chiasmus includes anadiplosis, but not every anadiplosis anadiplosis, but not every anadiplosis reverses itself in the manner of a reverses itself in the manner of a chiasmus. chiasmus.

On Tuesday morning I came in just On Tuesday morning I came in just as I always do, and I saw - I can't go as I always do, and I saw - I can't go on.on.

aposiopesisaposiopesis

"I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a "I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a Pepper, we're a Pepper--Pepper, we're a Pepper--Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too? too?

Dr. Pepper!"Dr. Pepper!"(advertising jingle for Dr. Pepper soft (advertising jingle for Dr. Pepper soft drink) drink)

isocolonisocolon

A succession of clauses of A succession of clauses of approximately equal length and approximately equal length and corresponding structure corresponding structure

... this nation, under God, shall have a ... this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. perish from the earth.

epistropheepistrophe

Having power makes totalitarian Having power makes totalitarian leadership isolated; isolation breeds leadership isolated; isolation breeds insecurity; insecurity breeds insecurity; insecurity breeds suspicion and fear; suspicion and suspicion and fear; suspicion and fear breed violence. fear breed violence.

anadiplosisanadiplosis

Eat to live, not live to eat. Eat to live, not live to eat.

AntimetaboleAntimetabole

Told you, I did. Reckless is he. Now Told you, I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse. matters are worse.

AnastropheAnastrophe

"You are free to execute your laws, "You are free to execute your laws, and your citizens, as you see fit."and your citizens, as you see fit."((Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation) )

ZeugmaZeugma

Referring to bananas as 'elongated Referring to bananas as 'elongated yellow fruit.' yellow fruit.'

PeriphrasisPeriphrasis

the use of a longer phrasing in place the use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of of a possible shorter form of expression; a roundabout or indirect expression; a roundabout or indirect manner of writing or speaking. manner of writing or speaking.

lame → crippled → handicapped → lame → crippled → handicapped →

disabled → physically challenged → disabled → physically challenged →

differently ableddifferently abled

EuphemismEuphemism

I wondered why the baseball was I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. getting bigger. Then it hit me.

PunPun

Groucho Marx: Groucho Marx: Animal CrackersAnimal Crackers gives gives him the line "We took some pictures him the line "We took some pictures of the native girls, but they weren't of the native girls, but they weren't developed." Then, he presents developed." Then, he presents Margaret Dumont with a large Margaret Dumont with a large wooden box. While describing it as "a wooden box. While describing it as "a magnificent chest," he accidentally magnificent chest," he accidentally points at her torso. points at her torso.

Double EntendreDouble Entendre

Men in great place are thrice servants: Men in great place are thrice servants:

servants of the sovereign or state; servants of the sovereign or state; servants servants

of fame; and servants of business. of fame; and servants of business.

Francis BaconFrancis Bacon

AnadiplosisAnadiplosis ("doubling back") the rhetorical ("doubling back") the rhetorical

repetition of one or several words; repetition of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a word that specifically, repetition of a word that ends one clause at the beginning of ends one clause at the beginning of the next. the next.

We shall not flag or fail. We shall go We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans. and oceans.

AnaphoraAnaphora

Extremism in defense of liberty is no Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. justice is no virtue.

AntithesisAntithesis

opposition, or contrast of ideas or opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel words in a balanced or parallel construction. construction.

The U.S. won three gold medals. The U.S. won three gold medals.

(Instead of, (Instead of, The members of the U.S. The members of the U.S. boxing teamboxing team won three gold medals.) won three gold medals.)

metonymymetonymy

What a pity that youth must be wasted What a pity that youth must be wasted on on

the young. the young.

ParadoxParadox

But, in a larger sense, we cannot But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. cannot hallow this ground.

--Lincoln, Gettysburg --Lincoln, Gettysburg Address Address

AsyndetonAsyndeton

““rosy-fingered”rosy-fingered” in in rosy-fingered dawnrosy-fingered dawn

or or

““the Great”the Great” in in Catherine the GreatCatherine the Great

EpithetEpithet

Success makes men proud; failure Success makes men proud; failure makes makes

them wise. them wise.

AntithesisAntithesis

"I'm a master debater and will beat "I'm a master debater and will beat you in verbal warfare any day!" you in verbal warfare any day!"

Austin PowersAustin Powers

Double EntendreDouble Entendre

"Oh Bart, don't worry, people die all "Oh Bart, don't worry, people die all the time. In fact, you could wake up the time. In fact, you could wake up dead tomorrow." dead tomorrow."

Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson

OxymoronOxymoron

All right, brain, I don't like you and All right, brain, I don't like you and you don't like me--so let's just do you don't like me--so let's just do this, and I'll get back to killing you this, and I'll get back to killing you with beer. with beer.

Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson

chiasmuschiasmus

““I want to shake off the dust of this I want to shake off the dust of this one-horse town. I want to explore the one-horse town. I want to explore the world. I want to watch TV in a world. I want to watch TV in a different time zone. I want to visit different time zone. I want to visit strange, exotic malls. I’m sick of strange, exotic malls. I’m sick of eating hoagies! I want a grinder, a eating hoagies! I want a grinder, a sub, a foot-long hero! I want to LIVE, sub, a foot-long hero! I want to LIVE, Marge! Won’t you let me live? Won’t Marge! Won’t you let me live? Won’t you, please?” you, please?”

Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson

AnaphoraAnaphora

Dear Lord, thank you for this Dear Lord, thank you for this microwave bounty, even though we microwave bounty, even though we don't deserve it. I mean . . . our kids don't deserve it. I mean . . . our kids are uncontrollable hellions! Pardon are uncontrollable hellions! Pardon my French, but they act like savages! my French, but they act like savages! Did you see them at the picnic? Oh, of Did you see them at the picnic? Oh, of course you did. You're everywhere, course you did. You're everywhere, you're you're omnivorousomnivorous. Oh Lord! Why did . Oh Lord! Why did you spite me with this family? you spite me with this family?

Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson

MalapropismMalapropism

MankindMankind must put an end to must put an end to warwar or or warwar will put an end to will put an end to mankindmankind. .

ChiasmusChiasmus

is the figure of speech in which two is the figure of speech in which two or more clauses are related to each or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures other through a reversal of structures in order to make a larger point; that in order to make a larger point; that is, the clauses display inverted is, the clauses display inverted parallelism. parallelism.

Well, it's not the Well, it's not the menmen in your in your lifelife that counts, it's the that counts, it's the lifelife in your in your menmen. .

ChiasmusChiasmus

A verbal pattern (a type of antithesis) A verbal pattern (a type of antithesis) in which the second half of an in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first expression is balanced against the first with the parts reversed. Essentially the with the parts reversed. Essentially the same as antimetabole. (Note that a same as antimetabole. (Note that a chiasmus includes anadiplosis, but not chiasmus includes anadiplosis, but not every anadiplosis reverses itself in the every anadiplosis reverses itself in the manner of a chiasmus.) manner of a chiasmus.)

I can write better than anybody who I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write faster than anybody who can write better better

antimetaboleantimetabole

A verbal pattern in which the second A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the words in against the first but with the words in reverse grammatical order (A-B-C, C-reverse grammatical order (A-B-C, C-B-A). B-A).

We didn't land on Plymouth We didn't land on Plymouth Rock; Rock;

Plymouth Rock landed on usPlymouth Rock landed on us

antimetaboleantimetabole

““A mind is a terrible thing to waste, A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a waist is a terrible thing to but a waist is a terrible thing to mind.”mind.”

ChiasmusChiasmus

Chiasmus can also reverse the order Chiasmus can also reverse the order of letters for literary effect. of letters for literary effect.

In this case, homophones waste and In this case, homophones waste and waist sound the same, but have waist sound the same, but have different meanings. different meanings.

““Integrity without knowledgeIntegrity without knowledge is weak is weak and useless, and and useless, and knowledge without knowledge without integrityintegrity is dangerous and dreadful.” is dangerous and dreadful.”

AntimetaboleAntimetabole

is a form of chiasmus, and the word comes is a form of chiasmus, and the word comes from the Latin anti, which means "against" from the Latin anti, which means "against" or "opposite," and metabole, which or "opposite," and metabole, which translates to "turn around" or "about." In translates to "turn around" or "about." In antimetabole, a person uses the same antimetabole, a person uses the same words in two independent clauses but in words in two independent clauses but in reverse or changed order. The second reverse or changed order. The second clause shifts emphasis or the meaning of clause shifts emphasis or the meaning of the first clause, by reversing the words the first clause, by reversing the words

America did not invent human rights. America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented way round. Human rights invented America America

ChiasmusChiasmus

Chiasmus: inversion in the second of Chiasmus: inversion in the second of two parallel phrases two parallel phrases

""ItIt is raining now." is raining now."

ExpletiveExpletive

Whereas it makes no sense to ask what Whereas it makes no sense to ask what the the itit means in "It is important that you means in "It is important that you work hard for the exam", some people work hard for the exam", some people might say that the dummy might say that the dummy itit in "It is in "It is raining now" means the weather (even raining now" means the weather (even if the word if the word weatherweather has not previously has not previously been mentioned). Thus the been mentioned). Thus the itit in such in such sentences is sometimes called sentences is sometimes called expletive, sometimes a expletive, sometimes a weather "it"weather "it". .

""There areThere are three kinds of lies: lies, three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” damned lies, and statistics.”

ExpletiveExpletive

a construction that begins with the a construction that begins with the word word here, therehere, there or or itit and is followed and is followed by a form of the verb by a form of the verb to be.to be.

He carried a strobe light and the He carried a strobe light and the responsibility for the lives of his men. responsibility for the lives of his men.

ZeugmaZeugma

Use of a word to modify or govern Use of a word to modify or govern two or more words although its use two or more words although its use may be grammatically or logically may be grammatically or logically correct with only one. correct with only one.

You held your breath and the door for You held your breath and the door for me. me.

ZeugmaZeugma

She opened the door and her heart She opened the door and her heart to the orphan. to the orphan.

ZeugmaZeugma

Listen, young men, to an old man to Listen, young men, to an old man to whom old men were glad to listen whom old men were glad to listen when he was young.when he was young.

AntithesisAntithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clausesin balanced phrases or clauses

Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.thing.

-Goethe-Goethe

The more acute the experience, the The more acute the experience, the less articulate its expression. less articulate its expression.

AntithesisAntithesis