Litotes Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.9-10.5.A

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Litotes is a figure of speech that puts a positive spin on a concept or idea by contradicting its opposite. These understatements are not intended to be taken literally. This concept is a close relative to irony in the figurative language tree. The use of this technique intends to make the subject seem less significant than they are. This practice is often used in acts of persuasion whether they be in written form or speech. They can also be used to downplay an issue or deflect away from them. You will find this technique used more often in works of nonfiction as authors will use it to substantiate their arguments or main assertions. The worksheets that you will find below will help students learn the concept of this form of language and how they may use it their own compositions in the future.

Litotes Worksheets To Print:

Responses - You will write a response to each of these questions by using this strategy.

Is it in There? - Read each the of the statements and see if something may be fishy about it.

Sentence Writing - You are given a picture and ask to write a sentence that contains this figure of speech.

Wanna Date? - Imagine someone you have really liked for a long time asks you out on a date. You want to say yes, but you don't want to see overeager. Use litotes to respond to the invitation.

What's Missing? - Determine what is missing from each of these statements.

More Meaning? - How do authors effectively use this technique to heighten their message?

Double Negative - How do these concepts relate and yet also differ?

Rewrites - See if you can rewrite each of these sentences and insert this figure of speech.

True or False - How much have learned about this technique?

Characterization - Think about the story you are writing. Is there a character or a situation who might use litotes?

Introduction - This is a perfect way to have students first ponder this concept.

Simple Revisions - You are given very basic sentences that you are asked to jack up.

Give Me 2 - You will write multiple sentences. The first version uses this figure of speech and the second one does not. This will display that you have command of this strategy.

In Dialogue - Choose one of the situations below. Write a brief dialogue in which one character uses litotes.

Character Drawings - Draw the characters. Finish the comic by adding dialogue in which one of the characters asks a question and the other responds using this technique.

What Is Litotes in Literature?

Writers use literary devices to shape words for a pleasant reading experience. Litotes is one such device.


Litotes are found in pieces of prose and frequently used as a figure of speech in everyday life. But, what exactly is it? And how is it used in literature?


They feature an understatement that uses negation to express a positive statement. In simpler words, it emphasizes expression without using direct implication. And in literature, this helps to emphasize meaning.


One of the many litotes examples is saying "the food was not bad" rather than only stating that it was good. The double negative in the statement nullifies each other. This helps to put forth the positive assertion, which in this case is the food being delicious.


So, in what other ways is a litotes used in literature, and what other examples are there? Let us find out below.


1. Writing Litotes


The recipe for writing a litotes is simple; state the contrary of what you mean!


It should be an intentional understatement of something that is worse than it already is. Along with that, it should also present the reader with a negation of an extreme word. This negation should put forth a positive assertion as well. Finally, it should have an ironic tone. It is that simple.


2. Verbal Irony


The verbal irony of litotes makes it stand out from other figures of speech and its placement in the text.


The positioning of the litotes should be such that it elicits the underlying meaning for the reader only. For instance, if one reads a litotes separately, it would seem like a regular statement. But when it is structured to be read in a specific setting, it will hold an ironic meaning to what is meant to be said instead. And that would only be understandable to the reader.


The placement of the litotes acts as a substitute for the role that tone plays in everyday language. They can be used to help mirror such tones in a non-verbal capacity to portray true meaning.


3. Examples in Action


The litotes "the food is not bad" consists of an understatement, a negation by the use of "not" towards a negative word "bad," and a positive assertion. The placement of this litotes in the text would be one that implies that the food is good.


Some famous litotes examples include the following:


- "It is not rocket science," meaning that something is very simple.
- "The trip was not a total loss," meaning that the trip had some good aspects.
- "I am no prophet," meaning that I have my own flaws too.


In Conclusion


Litotes is a way to establish an ironic tone when it comes to expressing a positive assertion in literature. An assertion that only the writer and the reader can understand after understanding the placement of the litotes.