下面我就把几种重要的修辞手段进行总结，希望能够对备考的SAT考生有所帮助。
Understatement：低调的陈述
定义：A figure of speech which contains an understatement of emphasis, and therefore the opposite of hyperbole. Often used in everyday speech and usually with laconic or ironic intentions.
这种修辞格是故意使用有节制的措辞来陈述事实，故意轻描淡写，借低调与弱化语言形式来表示强调。
例子：1.I know he is honest, and I wish I could add he were capable.
我知道他是诚实的，我还希望我能说他是能干的。
此句也是用虚拟语气来体现understatement，I could add he were capable其实是在说“但他不够能干”。
2.The face wasn’t a bad one; it had what they called charm.
面孔不算难看，有一般人所称的妩媚。
此句不是冲淡她的魅力，而是采用低调渲染，意即The face was sweet; her charm conquered everybody. 明似贬抑，实则褒扬.
simile:明喻
定义：A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared.
明喻是一种修辞手法，把两种基本不相像的东西进行比较.
例子：1.He is something of a political chameleon.
2.He looked as if he had just stepped out of my book of fairytales and had passed me like a spirit.
他看上去好像刚从我的童话故事书中走出来，像幽灵一样从我身旁走过去。
sarcasm:讽刺
定义：It attacks in a taunting and bitter manner, and its aim is to disparage ,ridicule and wound the feelings of the subject attacked
例子：1.Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies ,but let wasps break through
法律就像是蜘蛛网，只能抓住小飞虫，轻易让大黄蜂一冲即破。
2.Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And behind every ， unsuccessful man , there are two.
每个成功男人的背后,都有一个女人. 每个不成功男人的背后, 都有两个.
rhetorical question:反问句
定义：a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered a question to which no answer is required: used it for dramatic or emphasis effect
设立一个不需要回答的问题，以起到戏剧或者强调的效果
例子：1.Did you help me when I needed help?
在我需要的时候，你帮助过我吗?
2.Did you once offer to intercede in my behalf?
你曾经理解支持过我吗?
Pun:双关语
定义：The use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more meanings or different associations, or the use of two or more words of the same or nearly the same sound with different meanings, so as to produce a humorous effect.
用一个词去暗示两种或两种以上的意义或引起不同的联想，或者用两个或两个以上发音相同或相近而意义不同的词，以产生一种幽默效果。)
例子：1.Mother: Your hair needs cutting badly.
Daughter: I think it needs cutting nicely, it was cut badly last time .
(badly: a. 非常; b. 坏)
2.Judge: Tell me why you parked there.
Driver: Because, Your Honor, it said “Fine for Parking”
(fine: a. 好的; b. 罚款)
oxymoron：矛盾的修辞
定义：A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined
在修辞中使用不协调或前后矛盾的方法
例子：1.The coach had to be cruel to be kind to his trainees.
教练为了对他的受训者仁慈就要对他们残酷
2.She read the long-awaited letter with a tearful smile.
她带着含泪的微笑读那封盼望已久的信
metaphor：隐喻
定义：A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison.
用一个词来指代与该词所指事物有相似特点的另外一个事物
例子：1.He has a heart of stone. 他有一颗铁石心肠
2.The diamond department was the heart and center of the store.
钻石部是商店的心脏和核心。
hyperbole：夸张
定义：A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect
通过夸张的描述达到某种修辞效果，
例子：1.My heart almost stopped beating when I heard my girl friend’s voice on the phone.#p#分页标题#e#
从电话里听到我女朋友的声音，我的心几乎停止跳动。
2.She gave me the impression of having more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any practical purpose.
她给我的印象是：她有一口洁白整齐的大牙，为数之多已超过任何实际需要。