| Type | Figure of Speech | Definition |
| Simile | like a cross | Pattern or essence |
| Metaphor | a cross | Pattern or essence |
| Metonymy | The Cougars were #1 | Change of name |
| Synecdoche | How beautiful are the feet | Part for whole |
| Homonymy | For a fisherman, on the bank is in the bank | Name has two meanings (allows punning) |
| Analogy | The human mind functions like a computer | Extended metaphor |
| Personification | Wisdom is justified of her children | Attributing personness to a non-person |
| Irony | When he returned from letting the air out of his friend’s tire, his own was flat | Poetic justice in relationships |
| Understatement | You are a bit soiled. (Said someone covered with mud.) | Saying less than the situation warrants |
| Sarcasm | He really gave it his all. (Said when he obviously did not) | Saying one thing while meaning a contrary thing |
| Oxymoron | Conscientious sinner | Contradiction for effect |
| Parable | A sower went forth to sow | Short story told to illustrate |
| Allusion | His past was not all that illustrious without detail | Referring to something |
| Hyperbole | The best uncle in the whole world effect | Overemphasis for special |