Figurative Language
Word play
Writers play with words by joining opposites or by giving one word two meanings at once.
1 Observe
Look at each one. What is surprising or funny about it?
- Bittersweet Happy and sad at the same time.
- Deafening silence A silence so strong that everyone notices it.
- Interest A pun can use both senses: curiosity, and extra money from a bank.
- Problems A pun can use both senses: worries, and maths questions.
2 Discover
An oxymoron puts two opposite words side by side, like bittersweet. A pun is a joke where one word has two meanings: 'Why was the maths book sad? It had too many problems!'
In the Gerund course: Unit 44 Figurative Language & Literary Devices
3 Apply
Which of these is an oxymoron?
'I used to work in a bank, but I lost interest.' The pun plays on 'interest' meaning:
Which sentence is a pun?
4 Create
Make up a short pun using a word with two meanings, like 'bat' or 'match'.
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Example: Leaving school after Class 12 was a bittersweet day for Vikram and his friends.
5 Explore
Open the oxymoron and pun cards. Find a pun you could share with a friend.