Summary
Highlights
Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word by imitating a sound associated with its reference. Examples include 'buzz,' 'moo,' 'beep,' 'tick tock,' and 'splash,' representing the actual sounds made by objects or animals.
Alliteration is the repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of closely spaced words. Examples include 'death in the desert during the day' (d sound), 'happily helped the homeless' (h sound), and 'my mother makes a mouthwatering mince meat pie' (m sound). It's often used in tongue twisters and a rhetorical speeches to create unique effects and heighten emotions.
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds that form internal rhymes within a line. Unlike alliteration which can be vowels or consonants at the beginning of words, assonance specifically focuses on vowel sounds within words. Examples are 'clap your hands and stamp your feet' (a sound), 'she eats the sweet treats' (long e sound), and 'mellow wedding bells and foretells' (e sound).
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end of words. It contrasts with alliteration (beginning of words, any sound) and assonance (vowel sounds within words). Examples include 'touch the beach with a peach' (ch sound), 'dogs or frogs living in sprogs' (gs sound), and 'Mike likes this new bike' (k sound).
Allusion is a passing reference, without explicit identification, to a literary or historical person, place, event, or another literary work. It borrows well-known figures or events to add depth of meaning. Examples are 'it was a Titanic disaster' (referencing the Titanic ship), 'he's a real Einstein when it comes to math' (referencing Albert Einstein), and 'she's a modern-day Delilah' (referencing the biblical character Delilah).
Apostrophe is when the speaker addresses an absent or imaginary person, an abstract concept, or a thing directly. This often involves a dramatic shift in narrative or dialogue. Examples include 'Oh death, where is thy sting?' (addressing an abstract idea), 'Oh liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name?' (addressing an abstract concept), and 'Love, you are both a source of joy and pain' (addressing an abstract thing).
Synecdoche occurs when a part of something is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. It is similar to metonymy but distinct. Examples include 'all hands on deck' (hands representing people), '50 pesos per head' (head representing person), and 'I brought my wheels to the car wash station' (wheels representing a car).
Metonymy is a figure of speech where a word or phrase is substituted for another that is closely associated with it, but not necessarily a part of it. This distinguishes it from synecdoche. Examples include 'the pen is mightier than the sword' (pen representing writing/words), 'the bench is considering the case' (bench representing the judges or committee), and 'the crown declared war' (crown representing the king or monarchy).