A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is figurative language in the form of a single word or phrase. It can be a special repetition, arrangement or omission of words with literal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words. In truth, there are a wealth of these literary tools in the English language. But, let's start out by exploring some of the most common figure of speech examples. For example, Synecdoche: Synecdoche occurs when a part is represented by the whole or, conversely, the whole is represented by the part. Examples include: Wheels - a car The police - one policeman Plastic - credit cards Figurative language is often associated with literature and with poetry in particular. Whether we're conscious of it or not, we use figures of speech every day in our own writing and conversations. Figures of speech are also known as figures of rhetoric, figures of style, rhetorical figures, figurative language, and schemes. A figure of speech is a use of a word that diverges from its normal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it such as a metaphor, simile, or personification. Figures of speech often provide emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. Through the use of figures of speech, the author makes significant the insignificant, makes seem less important the overemphasized, brings colour and light, insight, understanding and clarity. Figures of speech allow us to assess, interpret and critically analyze not only the writer's attempt, but also his or her purpose.

1. Figurative
Languages

3. • Literal language is when you say
exactly what you mean. Here
you do not make any
comparison and you do not
exaggerate or understate any
situation!
• Example: Grass looks green
• Figurative language [figures of
speech] means you do not say
exactly what you mean. You do
compare, exaggerate, and
understate the situation.
• Example: The grass looks like
spiky green hair!

4. Seven Types of Figurative Language
[But of course there are MORE!]
• Simile
• Hyperbole
• Alliteration
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Onomatopoeia
• Oxymoron

5. Simile

7. Simile is a directly stated
comparison between two
unlike subjects.
The tenor [primary
subject] and vehicle
[secondary subject] are
connected by “like” or
“as”
•My love is like a red, red
rose.
..here love is the tenor and red
rose is the vehicle

8. Purpose
• Similes are used in literature to make writing more vivid and
powerful.
• Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable.
• Writers, poets, and songwriters make use of similes often to add
depth and emphasize what they are trying to convey to the reader
or listener.
• Similes can be funny, serious, mean, or creative.

10. This bag weighs a ton!
I’ve told you a million times to
clean up your room!

11. This exaggeration is called Hyperbole
• In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and
creates strong impressions.
• As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally.
• Love poetry often uses a lot of hyperbole, such as, in Thomas
Campion’s “Cherry Ripe”,
There is a garden in her face
Where roses and white lilies grow;

12. Alliteration
• the repetition of the same letter or sound,
especially consonant sounds….[including tongue
twisters.]
Miss Warren was worried
when Wendy was waiting.
She sells seashells by the
seashore

13. Example in a poem
• A flea and a fly in a flue
Were imprisoned, so what could they do?
Said the fly, "let us flee!"
"Let us fly!" said the flea.
So they flew through a flaw in the flue.
- Ogden Nash

14. • Think about this line.
• The line shows an
implied comparison
between two unlike
subjects!

16. All those lines are examples of Metaphors!
• Therefore, it is a comparison in which
one thing/person is said to be another.
[There is no use of
“like” or “as” in this kind of comparison]
Origin of metaphor
French métaphore from Classical Latin metaphora from Classical
Greek from metapherein, to carry over from meta, over (see meta-)
+ pherein, to bear

17. Here the man is trying to impress the woman by
comparing her to beautiful things in nature!

18. Usefulness
• Metaphors allow writers and poets to express the subtlety of
emotions, experiences and imageries for which no specific
vocabulary prevails.
• Moreover, metaphorical expressions create powerful and lasting
images and ideas, they are effective at communicating both tangible
and conceptual information.

19. What if a poet wants to give human
characteristics to things that are not human?
The angry flood
waters slapped the
house.
The sun smiled down on us.

20. This is known as Personification
• Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing – an idea or an animal –
is given human attributes.
• The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have
the ability to act like human beings.
Tender loving care

21. Common Examples of Personification
• Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t she?
• The wind whispered through dry grass.
• The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.
• Time and tide wait for none.
• The fire swallowed the entire forest.

22. Onomatopoeia
The use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound
made by an object or action.
Words that sound like what they mean.
pow
hiss
tweet,
tweetzoom
buzz

23. Consider this line below
The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves.
Imagine hearing the sound of the
flies [buzzing and oozing sound]

24. Oxymoron
words or phrases in which contradictory or
opposite terms are used together [however they make sense]
act naturally
adult child
climb down

25. Don’t forget to Shampoo!!
• Simile
• Hyperbole
• Alliteration
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Oxymoron
• Onomatopoeia