This document provides information about figures of speech and examples. It begins with a definition of figures of speech as uses of language that enhance clarity, force, beauty or vividness of expression. It distinguishes between literal and figurative language. There are then three types of figures of speech described: similes which use "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things, metaphors which imply a comparison without using "like" or "as", and personification which gives human qualities to non-human or abstract things. Several examples of each are given. The document concludes with exercises identifying figures of speech in sample sentences.

1. AGRICULTURE HIGH SCHOOL
Agriculture, Midsayap, Cotabato
Name: __________________________________________ Date: ______________
Year and Section: _________________________________ Score: _____________
Subject: English 4
Activity No. 1-35
Activity Title: Figures of Speech
Objective: To familiarize the basic kinds of figure of speech.
FIGURES OF SPEECH is any use of words or expressions as ornaments of language for the purpose of enhancing its
clearness, force, beauty and vividness of expression.
Language is divided into two- literal and figurative language. Literal language is a language which uses
words in their ordinary or dictionary meaning. Figurative language departs from the usual meaning of words to
emphasize or highlight ideas and feelings. They are a means of stimulating the imagination and exciting readers’
senses.
Kinds of Figures of Speech
1. Simile: Resemblance, an explicit comparison (using “like” or “as”) between two things of unlike nature
that yet have something in common).
Ex.)“Silence settled on the audience like a block of granite.”
Because I was embarrassed my face was as red as a ripe tomato.
2. Metaphor: an implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in
common without the use of “like” and “as”.
Ex.) “The Lord God is a sun and a shield.” (Ps. 84:12 [11])
He was a tornado, blasting his way through the opposing team.
3. Personification: a figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with human
qualities or abilities.
Ex.) The Wind
The wind stood up and gave a shout.
He whistled on his fingers and
Kicked the withered leaves about
And thumped the branches with his hand
And said he’d kill and kill and kill
And so he will and so he will.
LET’S PRACTICE! Identify the figure of speech used in each sentence. Write your answer after each
sentence.
1. The wind whispered to them as they ran through the woods.
2. Big trees fell like toothpicks when Paul Bunyan swung his axe.
3. The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery store shelves.
4. The heat ripped the breath from her lungs.
5. Babe was a two-ton bundle of blue dynamite.
TASK1: Identify the figure of speech used in each sentence. Write your answer after each sentence.
1. The sun stretches its warmth across the land.
2. Babe’s hoof beats were thunder resounding through the hills.
3. As the teacher entered the room she muttered under her breath, “This class is like a three-ring circus!”
4. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward jack.
5. The darkness wrapped its arms around me.
6. The leaves danced in the wind.
7. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.
8. I feel like a limp dishrag.
9. Those girls are like two peas in a pod.
10. The chair danced as the baby bounced to and fro.
11. The fluorescent light was the sun during our test.
12. The cruel wind tore off the roof of the house.
13. No one invites Harold to parties because he’s a wet blanket.
14. The dish ran away with the spoon.
15. The train stopped to feed its tanks.
16. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath.
17. Two sunflowers arranged themselves at the window and counted the steps of the sun.
18. Ted was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.
19. The boy told his mother a white lie.
20. Terence is as wise as an owl.