Allusion
Definition: a reference to an event, place, or person.
Hyperbole
Definition: an exaggeration
Euphemism
Definition: a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Anaphora
Definition: repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases.
Epistrophe
Definition: the repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences.
Parallelism
Definition: uses words or phrases with a similar structure to create balance in writing.
Juxtaposition
Definition: two or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts.
Understatement
Definition: makes an idea less important than it really is.
Oxymoron
Definition: creates a two-word paradox-such as "near miss."
Allusion
Example: "I can't get changed that quickly, I'm not Superman!"
Hyperbole
Example: "I could go on for days about her family."
Euphemism
Example: "Passed away," instead of "died."
Anaphora
Example: "I live for Friday nights, I live for football games, I live for post-game parties!"
Epistrophe
Example: "I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!"
Parallelism
Example: The things I miss about my mom are the songs she's sing as she cleaned, the laugh she'd laugh with her friends, and the support she gave to my children.
Juxtaposition
Example: "Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
Understatement
Example: "The hurricane disrupted traffic a little."
Oxymoron
Example: "I'm seriously joking."