2. WHAT IS FIGURE OF
SPEECH?
A figure of speech is a linguistic device
or expression in which words are used
in a non-literal way to convey meaning,
create emphasis, or evoke specific
effects. These devices include
metaphors, similes, personification,
hyperbole, and many others. Figures of
speech enhance language by
introducing creativity, imagery, and
rhetorical effects, allowing for a more
engaging and expressive form of
communication.
4. ALLITERATION
Alliteration is a literary device where
consecutive words in a phrase or sentence
begin with the same consonant sound. It is
often used for poetic effect or to create a
memorable and rhythmic quality in language.
5. Example.
"Silly Sam silently sang songs.r paragraph text" In
this sentence, the repetition of the "s" sound at
the beginning of each word creates an alliterative
effect.
6. ANTITHESIS
Antithesis refers to the direct contrast or
opposition between two things. It's often
used in literature or rhetoric to highlight
the differences between two ideas,
characters, or concepts for emphasis or
dramatic effect.
7. Example.
"The world was black and white, but her mind was a
kaleidoscope of colors." This sentence presents
antithesis by contrasting the monochrome world with
the vibrant and diverse mind, creating a vivid opposition
for emphasis.
8. APOSTROPHE
In literature, an apostrophe is a figure of speech
where the speaker addresses an absent or
imaginary person, an abstract concept, or a non-
human entity as if it were present and able to
respond. It's a way to convey strong emotions or
emphasize a point.
9. For example:
"O, love, where have you gone?" In this example,
the speaker is directly addressing and personifying
love, even though it is an abstract concept, using
an apostrophe to convey strong emotion and a
sense of longing.
10. CIRCUMLOCUTION
Circumlocution refers to the use of
excessive words or elaborate
expressions to convey a simple idea. It
often involves talking around a subject
rather than getting straight to the point..
11. Example.
"I'd rather not delve into that matter; let's focus on
different aspects of the situation." This indirect
approach allows for evasion or diplomacy in
communication.
12. EPIGRAM
An epigram is a brief, clever, and
usually witty statement or poem. It's
characterized by its concise and
memorable nature, often conveying
humor, satire, or a sharp insight.
13. Example.
"Short words are best, and the old words, when
short, are best of all." This concise and witty
statement forms an epigram, offering a clever
observation or insight in a brief and memorable
manner."
14. EUPHEMISM
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or
expression used in place of a more direct
or harsh one to convey a sensitive or less
offensive meaning. It's often employed to
address uncomfortable or unpleasant
subjects in a more socially acceptable
manner.
15. "Example.
Grandma passed away peacefully in her sleep." In
this example, "passed away peacefully" is a
euphemism for death, providing a gentler expression
to soften the impact of the harsh reality.
16. HYPERBOLE
Hyperbole is a figure of speech
characterized by exaggerated or
overemphasized statements not
meant to be taken literally. It is used
for emphasis, humor, or to create a
dramatic effect by stretching the
truth beyond reality.
17. "Example.
I've told you a million times to clean your room!" This
statement uses hyperbole by exaggerating the
number of times someone has been told to emphasize
the frustration or annoyance in the situation.
18. IRONY
Irony is a literary or rhetorical device
where there's a discrepancy between
what is said and what is meant, or
between appearance and reality. It
often involves a twist of fate or an
unexpected outcome, contributing to a
deeper meaning or humor in the
context.
19. Example.
"The fire station burned down." The irony lies in the
unexpected reversal of the situation, as a place
designed to prevent fires becomes the victim of one.
20. LITOTES
Litotes is a figure of speech where a
positive statement is expressed by
negating its opposite. It is a form of
understatement used for emphasis or
to create a particular effect. For
example, saying "not bad" to mean
"good" is a form of litotes.
21. Example.
"He's not the brightest bulb in the box." This
statement employs litotes by using understatement
to convey that the person isn't exceptionally
intelligent, subtly emphasizing the lack of brightness
without outright stating it.
22. METAPHOR
A metaphor is a figure of speech that
involves making a direct comparison
between two unrelated things,
suggesting that they are alike in some
way.
23. Example.
"The world is a stage." This metaphor compares the
world to a stage, implying that life is like a theatrical
performance where individuals play different roles
and scenarios unfold.
24. METONYMY
Metonymy is a figure of speech where
one word or phrase is substituted with
another closely related word or phrase,
based on a broader association or
relationship.
25. Example.
"The White House issued a statement." In this
example, "The White House" is used as a metonym
for the President or the presidential administration,
indicating that the statement originates from the
government or its officials associated with the White
House.
26. ONOMATOPOEIA
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in
which words imitate the sound they
represent. Essentially, it's the use of
words that sound like what they
describe.
27. Examples.
"The bees buzzed around the blooming flowers." In
this example, the word "buzzed" is an onomatopoeia
because it imitates the sound that bees make when
flying around.
28. OXYMORON
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that
combines contradictory or opposing
ideas within a phrase. It is a form of
paradox that creates a compressed
and thought-provoking expression by
juxtaposing words with opposite
meanings.
29. Example.
"Seriously funny" is an example of an oxymoron. The
combination of "seriously" and "funny" seems
contradictory, as "serious" typically implies a lack of
humor, but in this context, it emphasizes that
something is genuinely amusing or clever.
30. PARADOX
A paradox is a statement or situation that
appears contradictory or self-defeating, yet
may reveal a hidden truth. It often involves a
seemingly illogical or contradictory
statement that, upon closer examination, may
hold deeper insights or unexpected
resolutions.
32. PERSONIFICATION
Personification is a figure of speech in which
non-human entities, abstract concepts, or
inanimate objects are given human attributes,
qualities, or abilities.
33. Example.
"The wind whispered through the trees, sharing its
secrets with the leaves." In this example, the wind is
personified by attributing the human-like action of
whispering and the ability to share secrets, adding a
sense of life and personality to the natural element.
34. PLEONASM
Pleonasm is the use of more words than
necessary to convey a meaning, often
resulting in redundancy. It involves
expressing an idea using superfluous or
redundant words that don't contribute
additional meaning to the statement.
35. Example.
"The free gift" is an example of pleonasm. The term
"free" already implies the absence of cost, so adding
"gift" is redundant. The statement could be more
concise by saying "the gift."
36. PUN
A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits
multiple meanings of a term or words that
sound similar but have different meanings.
It involves using a play on words to create
humor, often by exploiting the double
entendre or the humorous aspect of
language.
37. Example.
"I used to be a baker because I kneaded dough." This
pun plays on the double meaning of "kneaded" – it
refers to both the process of working dough and the
need for a job, creating a humorous wordplay.
38. SIMILE
A simile is a figure of speech that involves
comparing two unlike things using the words
"like" or "as" to highlight a shared quality or
characteristic.
39. Example.
"As brave as a lion." This simile compares someone's
bravery to the well-known courage of a lion,
emphasizing the person's fearlessness by drawing a
parallel with the image of a courageous and strong
animal.
40. SYNECDOCHE
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which
a part of something is used to represent
the whole, or vice versa. It involves using a
specific part of an object or concept to
refer to the entire entity or using the whole
to represent a part.
41. Example.
"The United States won gold in the 4x100 meters
relay." In this example, "The United States" is used as
a synecdoche to represent the athletes from the
country who won the gold medal in the relay race,
emphasizing the collective achievement of the team.
42. UNDERSTATEMENT
Understatement is a figure of speech in
which a writer or speaker deliberately
downplays or minimizes the
significance of something. It involves
making something appear less
important or intense than it really is.
43. Example.
"After running a marathon, she said she was a bit
tired." This understatement downplays the exhaustion
one might expect after running a marathon, creating a
humorous or ironic effect by minimizing the intensity
of the experience.
44. Figures of speech play a crucial role in
language, literature, and communication.
They add depth, nuance, and creativity to
expressions, allowing writers and speakers
to convey complex ideas vividly. Figures of
speech enhance the emotional impact of
language, create memorable imagery, and
contribute to the overall beauty and
effectiveness of communication. Whether
used for emphasis, humor, or to provoke
thought, figures of speech are versatile
tools that enrich our understanding and
experience of language.
