This document defines and provides examples of various figures of speech used in poetry. It discusses simile, metaphor, personification, repetition, alliteration, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, tautology, antithesis, apostrophe. Some key figures of speech explained are simile which makes a direct comparison using like or as, metaphor which makes an indirect comparison, and personification which gives human qualities to non-living things.

1. ENGLISH GRAMMAR
FIGURES OF SPEECH

2. WHAT IS FIGURES OF SPEECH?
Figures of speech are added to poems for a greater effect and to
make it more attractive to the readers. They are one of the
poetic devices.

3. A FEW FIGURES OF SPEECH ARE-

4. SIMILE:
In a simile direct comparison is made between two objects of different kinds which have at least
one quality in common. The words like ‘as’, ‘like’ are used to show the comparison between the
objects.
Example:
1. The river flowed as silent as the night.
Ans. Simile - Flowing of the river is compared to the night.
2. Shilpa dances like peacock.
Ans. The dancing of Shilpa is compared to a peacock.
3. His eyes twinkled as the stars.
Ans. Simile – Twinkling of his eyes is compared to stars.

5. METAPHOR:
An indirect comparison is made without using the words ‘as’ and
‘like’
Example:
1. The king was lion in the battle.
Ans. The king is indirectly compared as a lion in the battle.
2. The world is a stage.
Ans. The world is indirectly compared to a stage.
3. The camel is the ship of the desert.
Ans. The camel is indirectly compared to a ship of the desert.
4. Laughter is the best medicine.
Ans. Laughter is indirectly compared as the best medicine.

6. PERSONIFICATION:
In personification non living things and inanimate objects,abstract ideas or qualities are
spoken of having life.
Example:
1. The moon is smiling in the sky.
Ans. The moon is given the human quality of smiling.
2. The wind is singing a song.
Ans. The wind is given human quality of singing.
3. Laughter is holding the hands.
Ans. Laughter is given human quality of holding.

7. REPETITION:
In this figure of speech the words are repeated.
Example:
1.Something attempted, something done.
Ans. The word something is repeated for poetic effect.
2. Water, water everywhere
Ans. The word water is repeated for poetic effect.
3. I am just as glad as glad can be.
Ans. The words glad and as are repeated for poetic effect.
4. Her ways are ways of gentleness.
Ans. The word ways is repeated for poetic effect.

8. ALLITERATION:
In this figure of speech the sound of first letter of the word
is repeated.
Example:
1.She sells sea shells on the seashore.
Ans. The sound of the letter ‘s’ is repeated.
2. The grizzly gorilla gave the goat a push.
Ans. The sound of the letters ‘g’ is repeated.
3. The fair breeze blew the white foam flew.
Ans. The sound of the letters ‘b’ and ‘f’ are repeated.

9. HYPERBOLE:
In this figure of speech overstatement or exaggeration is made.
Example:
1. He rode faster than the wind.
Ans. An overstatement is made.
2. She wept an ocean of tears.
Ans. An overstatement is made.
3. I was bored to death.
Ans. An overstatement is made.
4. Ten thousand I saw at a glance.
5. The food was so hot my ears were smoking!
6. I’m so tired I could sleep a year.

10. ONOMATOPOEIA:
In this figure of speech a sound is expressed through
the words.
Example:
1.The bell is ringing.
Ans. The word ringing expresses the sound.
2.The hooting of owls pierced the night.
Ans. The word hooting expresses the sound.
3.The snake moved out by hissing.
Ans. The word hissing expresses the sound.

11. TAUTOLOGY:
In tautology the words have similar meaning or ideas.
Examples:
1. I rejoiced at the happy sight.
Ans. The words ‘rejoiced’ and ‘happy’ give the same
meaning.
2. The evening sunset was beautiful.
Ans. The words evening and sunset give the same
meaning.
3. The house is huge and large.
Ans.The words huge and large give the same
meaning.

12. ANTITHESIS:
Opposite words or feelings are expressed in this figure of
Speech.
Examples:
1. It is a question of life and death.
Ans. The opposite words ‘life’ and ‘death’ are used.
2. United we stand, divided we fall.
Ans. The opposite words ‘United’ and ‘divided’ and
‘stand’& ‘fall’ are used.
3. Man proposes , god disposes.
Ans. The opposite words ‘proposes’ and ‘disposes’ are
used.

13. APOSTROPHE
An apostrophe is a direct address to the dead,
absence or to personified ideas or object.
We even add an exclamation mark.
Examples:
1. Oh life! What experience you give.
Ans. Apostrophe- life is addressed to an idea.
2. Blow wind, blow!
Ans. Apostrophe- wind is personified.

14. EXAMPLES
o Name and explain the figures of speech in the
Following:
1) Bells for the feet of blue pigeons, Frail as a
dragon-fly’s wing.
2) Besides the lake, beneath the trees.
3) I gazed... and gazed... but little thought…
4) Give me strength lightly to bear my joys and
Sorrows.
5) Ten thousand saw I at a glance.

15. EXAMPLES
6) The waves besides them danced.
7) But O heart! heart! heart!
8) Health is wealth.
9) The horse clip- clopped along the
road.
10) You can observe a lot by watching.