FIGURES OF SPEECH
We use figures of speech in "figurative
language" to add colour and interest, and to
awaken the imagination.
Figurative language is everywhere, from
classical works like Shakespeare or the Bible,
to everyday speech, pop music and television
commercials.
It makes the reader or listener use their
imagination and understand much more than
the plain words.
Figurative language is the opposite
of literal language.
Literal language means exactly what it says.
Figurative language means something different
to (and usually more than) what it says on the
surface:
EXAMPLE-
· He ran fast. (literal)
· He ran like the wind. (figurative)
Here "like the wind" is a figure of speech (in
this case, a simile).
In some respects, they are the foundation of
communication.
Figures of Speech are a set of tools essential
for all writers.
Conveying a complex idea can be virtually
impossible without an IMAGE or analogy.
FIGURES of SPEECH serve two roles:
(A) DECORATION:
We all love to decorate our home.
What would your home be like without them?
They give beauty and variety to what we wish
to show
Same way- ‘Figures of Speechʼ are decorations
we use for our writing. Without them our
writing would be boring.
(B) CLARITY:
A complex subject can best be conveyed
imaginatively and captivatingly
The purpose of learning Figures of Speech is to
make you aware, as writers, of the power and
degrees of choice you have when using it in
English.
Commonly used FIGURES OF SPEECH:
1. SIMILE-
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.
2. METAPHOR-
A Metaphor is like a simile. Two objects are
compared, without the words ‘as or likeʼ. It is an
implied simile.
Examples:
I. He was a lion in the battlefield
II. Variety is he 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 You are my
sun. sunshine.
He eats like a pig. He is a pig.
CAUTION: THE METAPHOR needs to be
used carefully.
THEREFORE, do not get too far-fetched;
otherwise, the images you conjure up may be
confusing or foolish.
Do not OVERUSE or sustain beyond the point of
interest.
Avoid MIXED METAPHORS "He put his foot
down with a firm hand".
3. PERSONIFICATION-
In Personification non-living objects, abstract
ideas or qualities are spoken of as persons or
human-beings.
Examples:
I. Necessity knows no law.
II. Hope springs eternal
III. Let the floods clap their hands.
IV. I kissed the hand of death.
NOTE-
We frequently use personification - whether we
know it or not - when we describe
- a promising morning
- a treacherous sea
- a thankless task
4. 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.
5. OXYMORON-
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.
J J J J J J J J SOMETHING TO SMILE J J J J J J
JJ
Ever noticed that it's simply impossible to
find seriously funny oxymoron? The only
choice is to ask one of those paid
volunteers at the library – the ones in the
long-sleeved T-shirts – for an original
copy of some obviously obscure documents
that were found missing amongst some
paperwork almost exactly one hundred years
ago.
JJJJJJJJJJJJ
6. ANTITHESIS-
In Antithesis, one word or idea is set in direct
contrast against another, for emphasis. It is a
combination of two words, phrases, clauses, or
sentences contrasted in meaning to offer a
highlight to contrasting ideas. Antithesis
occurs when you place two different or
opposite ideas near each other.
Examples:
I. United we stand, divided we fall.
II. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
III. We look for light, but all is darkness.
7. PUN-
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. Truly, Sir, all that I live by is with the
awl; I meddle with no tradesman's
matters, nor women's matters, but with
awl.
IV. Is life worth living? That depends on
the liver
V. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use
with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir,
a mender of bad soles.
8. IRONY
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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. HYPERBOLE-
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!
12. 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.
12. 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
EXERCISE 1
Name the figures of speech in the following
sentences:
k. To gossip is fault, to libel is a crime, to
slander is a sin.
l. O mischief, thou art swift
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men.
m. They speak like saints and act like devils.
n. How could he be a king, a soldier and a
peon?
o. How high, his highness holds his haughty
head.
p. What avail me, all my Kingdoms?
q. Hasten slowly.
r. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I
loved Rome more.
s. Life is a dream.
kt. The old, sick dog was put to sleep.
kk. She was as proud as a peacock.
kl. It crackled and growled and roared and
howled.
km. He was conspicuous by his absence.
kn. More haste, less speed.
ko. The troops were swifter than eagles and
stronger than lions.
kp. She dropped the pail and turned deathly
pale.
kq. While her mother did fret and her father
did fume,
And her bridegroom stood, dangling his bonnet
and plume.
EXERCISE 2
Select the correct alternative
1. When the Almighty scattered the kings in the
land, it was like snow fallen
on Zalmon.
a) Metaphor b) Hyperbole c) Personification d)
Simile
2. Her conscious tail her joy declared.
a) Metaphor b) Hyperbole c) Apostrophe d)
Personification
3. Speech is silver, silence is golden.
a) Metaphor b) Personification c) Antithesis
d) Irony
4. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the
mountains sing together for joy; let
them sing before the Lord, for he comes to
judge the earth………
a) Metaphor b) Personification c)
Apostrophe d) Simile
5. I am so hungry, I could eat a horse.
a) Metaphor b) Irony c) Climax d) Hyperbole
6. The road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the
purple moor.
a) Metaphor b) Personification c) Irony d)
Pun
7. Oh judgment! Thou hast fled to brutish
hearts. And men have lost their
reason.
a) Metaphor b) Apostrophe c) Hyperbole d)
Simile
8. She is won! We are gone! , over bank bush
and scar.
a) Apostrophe b) Climax c) Anticlimax d) Pun
FIND ALL THE FIGURES OF SPEECH IN YOUR
FAVORITE SONG AND WRITE IN THE SPACE
BESIDE:
Oooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehh
You're a good soldier Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You're on the front line Everyone's watching
You know it's serious We are getting closer
This isn't over
The pressure is on You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up, oh oh If you fall get up, eh
eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Its time for Africa
Listen to your God This is our motto
Your time to shine Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising Their expectations
Go on and feed them This is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day I feel it
You paved the way Believe it
When you fall get up, oh oh If you fall get up, eh
eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Its time for Africa
