Definition - Student Friendly!

Example - why is it an example

Non-Example - why it is NOT an example

Simile

A figure of speech that  is used to compare one thing to another thing, usually using like or as.

The taco was as good as the pizza - this is a simile because it has as in it and compares the taco to the pizza

Kobe likes lebrons jump shot. - This is not a simile because it doesn't compare.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that is a word or phrase applies to something unrelated.

Your brain is a computer. - this a metaphor because it it makes the brain applied to the computer and a computer is smart and fast and is giving those traits to his brain.  

Have a good day at school. - this is not a metaphor because it doesn’t have different meaning.

Personification

Adding human characteristic to something nonhuman.

The door is called out a cry as it opened. - this is Personification because it cried that is a human character.

The door opened slowly. - this not a Personification because it doesn't have any Personification in any of it.

Alliteration

The occurrence of the letter or sound beginning of connected words

Moma made me mash my m&ms. - this is an alliteration

I don’t like pizza. - this is not an alliteration because it doesn’t have the same starting letters.

Onomatopoeia

A word that is associated with it’s sound

snap - this an Onomatopoeia because its sound that is connected to an action.

Broken branch - this is not an Onomatopoeia because it not associated with the sound.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

I'm as slow a sloth could beat me. - this a Hyperbole because It exaggerates how the person is.

I’m really fast. - this is not a Hyperbole because it doesn't exaggerate.

Idiom

An idiom is a word or phrase which means something different from its literal meaning.

Go break a leg. - this is idiom because it has double meaning. The double meaning is good luck.  

Hi my name is Charles. - this not an idiom because it doesn't have a double meaning.

Allusion

An allusion is when a person makes an indirect reference in speech, text, or song to an event or figure.

Chocolate was her Achilles’ heel. - this an allusion because it talked about achilles who had on weakness and that was his heel.

I have no weakness. - this is not allusion because it doesn’t make an indirect reference.