A direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as' is called a ...?

Prepare for Literary Devices and Themes in American Literature and Drama Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Gain a deep understanding of American literature and drama for your exam!

Multiple Choice

A direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as' is called a ...?

Explanation:
Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct claim that one thing is another, without using like or as. That’s why a phrase such as “Time is a thief” works as a metaphor: it asserts an identity between time and a thief to convey how time steals moments. A simile would say “Time is like a thief,” using like. The other terms describe different devices—repetition repeats words or sounds, and onomatopoeia imitates sounds—so they don’t fit this description.

Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct claim that one thing is another, without using like or as. That’s why a phrase such as “Time is a thief” works as a metaphor: it asserts an identity between time and a thief to convey how time steals moments. A simile would say “Time is like a thief,” using like. The other terms describe different devices—repetition repeats words or sounds, and onomatopoeia imitates sounds—so they don’t fit this description.

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