FIGURE OF SPEECH
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Simile Synecdoche Oxymoron Anticlimax
Metaphor Innuendo Metonymy Antithesis
Hyperbole Euphemism Anaphora Overstatement
Irony Pun Epistrophe
Litotes Onomatopoeia Assonance
Paradox Rhetorical Apostrophe
question
Alliteration Personification Climax
SIMILIE
A comparison of two unlike ideas or objects, typically
using the word like or as or as though.
A Simile shows a likeness or comparison between
two objects or events. A simile is usually introduced
with the words- like, as, as……..so.
Examples:
I. She is as pretty as a picture.
II. The story was as dull as ditch water.
III. He is as sober as a judge.
Metaphor
The description of one thing in terms of another that
is related to it by comparison; not literally
A Metaphor is like a simile. Two objects are
compared, without the words ‗as or like‘. It is an
implied simile.
Examples:
I. He was a lion in the battlefield
II. Variety is the spice of life
III. She was a tower of strength in their trouble.
Difference between Metaphor and Simile:
Both similes and metaphors link one thing to another.
A simile usually uses "as" or "like". A metaphor is a
condensed simile, a shortcut to meaning, which omits
"as" or "like." A metaphor creates a relationship
directly and leaves more to the imagination.
With simile A is like B.
With metaphor A is B
Simile Metaphor
Your eyes are like the sun. You are my sunshine.
He eats like a pig. He is a pig.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration or overstatement for emphasis.
Hyperbole is an exaggeration and things are made to appear greater or lesser than
they usually are. Hyperbole is a literary device often used in poetry, and is
frequently encountered in casual speech. Occasionally, newspapers and other
media use hyperbole when speaking of an accident, to increase the impact of the
story.
No one imagines that a hyperbolic statement is to be taken literally. It can also be
termed as OVERSTATEMENT. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create
a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Examples:
I. The burglar ran as fast as lightning.
II. The professor's ideas are as old as the hills.
III. The troops were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions.
IV. Her brain is the size of a pea.
V. I have told you a million times not to lie!
Irony
The use of a word or words to convey something markedly different from the literal meaning; a
common component of sarcasm, though not necessarily so cutting.Irony is when one thing is said
which means the exact opposite. With irony the words used suggest the OPPOSITE of their literal
meaning. The effect of irony, however, can depend upon the tone of voice and the context. It is
humorous or lightly sarcastic mode of speech. Words are used here to convey a meaning contrary
to their literal meaning. Note: AN IRONIC remark implies a double / dual view of
things: a. a literal meaning, and b. a different intention
Irony can be used to create amusement - unlike Sarcasm. When used to taunt or ridicule, Irony is
called Sarcasm.
Examples:
I. Here under leave of Brutus and the rest, for Brutus is an honourable man, so are they all, all
honourable men.
II. The fire station burned down last night.
III. As soft as concrete
IV. As clear as mud
V. He was suspended for his little mishap.
VI. The homeless survived in their cardboard palaces.
Litotes
An understatement in which an idea is tellingly conveyed, typically by contradicting its
opposite. Often used in everyday speech, frequently with a negative assertion, and
usually with laconic or ironic intentions. Eg Not too bad for good.
They do not seem the happiest couple around.
The ice cream was not too bad.
New York is not an ordinary city.
Your comments on politics are not useless.
You are not as young as you used to be.
I cannot disagree with your point of view.
William Shakespeare was not a bad playwright at all.
He is not the cleverest person I have ever met.
She is not unlike her mother.
Ken Adams is not an ordinary man
A million dollars is no small amount.
You are not doing badly at all.
Your apartment is not unclean.
Paradox
An apparently absurd or self-contradictory statement which, on closer examination, is
found to contain a truth reconciling the conflicting opposites.
EXAMPLES
1. Save money by spending it.
2. If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing.
3. This is the beginning of the end.
4. Deep down, you're really shallow.
5. I'm a compulsive liar.
6. "Men work together whether they work together or apart." - Robert Frost
7. "What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." - George Bernard Shaw
8. "I can resist anything but temptation." - Oscar Wilde
A paradox can be thought-provoking but they're also fun to consider. Here are
some paradoxes with a witty bent:
9. Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.
10. The second sentence is false. The first sentence is true.
11. I only message those who do not message.
Alliteration
Alliteration is a series of words that begin with the
same letter. Alliteration consists of the repetition of a
sound or of a letter at the beginning of two or more
words.
Examples:
I. Dirty dogs dig in the dirt.
II. Cute cats cooking carrots.
III. Some slimy snakes were slowly slithering.
IV. Purple pandas painted pictures
V. White whales waiting in the water.
Synecdoche
The use of the name of a part to refer to the whole, or vice versa.
EXAMPLE
1. The word “bread” refers to food or money, as in “Writing is my
bread and butter,” or “He is the sole breadwinner.”
2. The phrase “gray beard” refers to an old man.
3. The word “sails” refers to a whole ship.
4. The word “suit” refers to a businessman.
5. The word “boots” usually refers to soldiers.
6. The term “coke” is a common synecdoche for all carbonated
drinks.
7. “Pentagon” is a synecdoche when it refers to a few decision
makers.
8. The word “glasses” refers to spectacles.
Innuendo
An indirect or subtle suggestion, often intended as a veiled accusation. An allusive or
oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one
EXAMPLE
Imagine a friend is dating someone in secret. A possible use of innuendo would be to
say:
1. Mark’s been spending a lot of time with Allison, if you know what I mean.
The use of “if you know what I mean” is a common way to signal to people that you
are using innuendo. The comment implies Mark has been doing more than simply
“spending time” with Allison. In this example, the statement is used to gossip in a way
that is socially acceptable.
For a second example, imagine a friend is preparing to cheat on a test with a stolen
answer key. He says:
2. I’ve found a way to get some “extra help” on the test.
The use of quotation marks to emphasize the phrase “extra help” is a common way to
use innuendo. This implies that the phrase is being used in a special way here
and allows your friend to boast about cheating without admitting that he is cheating;
it’s a safe way to talk about doing something that is not allowed.
Euphemism
An inoffensive expression used in place of a sharper
or more explicit one.
1. You are becoming a little thin on top (bald).
2. Our teacher is in the family way (pregnant).
3. He is a little tipsy (drunk).
4. We do not hire mentally challenged (stupid)
people.
5. He is a special child (disabled or learning
challenged).
Pun
A device of deliberate wordplay which stimulates the reader or provides
him some comic relief, which emerges from the possible different
meanings of a word or from words which sound alike but have different
meanings. Pun is a word or phrase used in two different senses. It is
usually used in plays where one word has two different meanings and is
used to create humor. Pun is a play of words – either their different
meanings or upon two different words sounding the same. Humorous use
of a word to suggest different meanings or of words of the same sound
and different meanings create humor and interest while reading also.
Examples:
I. A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.
II. A boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. His
grandmother phoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.‘
III. Is life worth living? That depends on the liver
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where a word is used to represent a
sound. When you name an action by imitating the sound associated with it,
this is known as onomatopoeia. Examples of onomatopoeia are also
commonly found in poems and nursery rhymes written for children.
Onomatopoeic words produce strong images that can both delight and
amuse kids when listening to their parents read poetry. Some examples of
onomatopoeia poems for children are
Baa Baa Black Sheep and Old Macdonald had a farm-eea eea oo
Examples:
Zip goes the jacket
"Zip" is an onomatopoeia word because it sounds like a jacket is zipping up.
"Zip" is an example of onomatopoeia because it sounds like what it is. When
you zip up a zipper the sound the zipper makes sounds like a zipper. Here
are other onomatopoeia words:
Boom, bang, slash, slurp, gurgle, meow, and woof
Rhetorical question
A question asked for effect or to convey information rather
than to elicit an answer. It is used primarily for stylistic effect,
and is a very common device in public speaking— especially
when the speaker is trying to work up the emotional
temperature.
A common example is the question "Can't you do anything
right?“ Other examples are :
There's no point, is there?
Is there anyone smarter than me?
Can we do better next time?
Do you want to be a success in this world?
Is this supposed to be some kind of a joke?
Personification
The assigning of human feelings or characteristics to
natural or inanimate objects.
1. Lightning danced across the sky.
2. The wind howled in the night.
3. The car complained as the key was roughly turned
in its ignition.
4. Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
5. My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every
morning.
Oxymoron
A figure of speech which combines incongruous or contradictory
terms for a special effect. An Oxymoron is when two terms or
words are used together in a sentence but they seem to
contradict each-other. Oxymoron is a statement which, on the
surface, seems to contradict itself - a kind of crisp contradiction.
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two
differing ideas. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in
the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or
meaning for the whole.
Examples:
I. Life is bitter sweet.
II. He is the wisest fool of them all.
III. He was condemned to a living death.
Metonymy
the substitution of the name of an attribute or
adjunct for that of the thing meant, for
example suit for business executive, or the
turf for horse racing.
The pen is mightier than the sword, from Edward
Bulwer Lytton's play, Richelieu, contains
two examples of metonymy. “Pen” stands for
thought and reason, while “sword” represents
physical warfare. ... “Friends, Romans, countrymen,
lend me your ears,” from Shakespeare's Julius
Caesar, is another metonymy.
Anaphora
repetition of a word or expression at the beginning
of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses
especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
Lincoln's "we cannot dedicate—we cannot
consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground" is
an example of anaphora — compare epistrophe.
Epistrophe
the repetition of a word at the end of successive
clauses or sentences.
However, in epistrophe, the repetition of phrases
or words is at the end of successive sentences such as
in this example: “Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings on you
Assonance
Assonance takes place when two or more words, close to
one another repeat the same vowel sound, but start with
different consonant sounds.
For instance, in the following sentence:
“Men sell the wedding bells.”
Common Assonance Examples
We light fire on the mountain.
I feel depressed and restle
Go and mow the lawn.
Johnny went here and there and everywhe
The engineer held the steering to steer the vehicle.
Apostrophe
Apostrophe An Apostrophe is a development of
personification in which the writer addresses absent
or inanimate objects, concept or ideas as if they were
alive and could reply.
Examples:
I. ―Fair daffodils, we weep to see you haste away so
soon‖.
II. ―O wind, where have you been?‖
III. Lead, Kindly light, amid the encircling gloom.
Climax
Climax is a figure of speech which rises in steps like a
ladder from simple to more important.
Examples:
I. He came, he saw, he conquered.
II. He ran fast; He came first in the race; He was
awarded a prize.
III. Lost, broken, wrecked and dead within an hour.
OVERSTATEMENT
It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a
strong impression, but is not meant to be taken
literally.
Examples:
I. The burglar ran as fast as lightning.
II. The professor's ideas are as old as the hills.
III. The troops were swifter than eagles and stronger
than lions.
IV. Her brain is the size of a pea. V. I have told you a
million times not to lie!
Anticlimax
It is an arrangement of words in order of decreasing
importance. Often, it is used to ridicule.
Examples:
I. The soldier fights for glory, and a shilling a day.
II. She lost her husband, her children and her purse.
III. He is a great philosopher, a member of parliament
and plays golf well.
