Figure of Speech for All
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Introduction: Figures
of speech are extensively and effectively used in poetry to express the ideas
and feelings in an impressive manner.
In this section, the
most important figures of speech in English are discussed in detail.
1. Simile: A figure of
speech which is used to compare two different things having a common quality is
known as a Simile.
Ex: The soul was like a
star, and dwelt apart.
Though hadst a voice
whose sound was like the sea.
The righteous shall
flourish as the palm tree.
Note: The simile is
introduced by words such as like, as, so.
2. Metaphor: A Metaphor
is an implied simile in which the two things are treated as one.
Ex: The camel is the
ship of the desert.
Life is a dream.
The news was a dagger
to his heart.
3. Personification: A
figure of speech which is used to believe that inanimate, lifeless objects and
abstract ideas are living beings is known as Personification.
Ex: Death lays his icy
hands on kings.
The Sun sheds his beams
on rich and poor alike.
Peace hath her
victories no less renowned than war.
4. Apostrophe: A figure
of speech which is used to address a lifeless object or an abstract idea as if
it were a living being is known as an Apostrophe.
Ex: 0! friend! I know
not which may I must look for comfort.
0! death! Where is thy
sting?
Milton! Thou shouldn’t
be living at this hour.
5. Hyperbole: A figure
of speech which is used to make a fact exaggeration is known as Hyperbole.
Ex: All the perfumes of
Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
Love is not time’s
fool.
Why, man, if the river
were dry, I am able to fill it with tears.
6. Euphemism: A figure
of speech which is used to say an unp1eant thing in a pleasant manner is known
as Euphemism.
Ex: He has fallen
asleep. (Dead)
She is telling me a fairy
tale. (Story)
7. Antithesis: A figure
of speech which is used to express two contrasting or opposite ideas to achieve
emphasis is known as Antithesis
Ex: Man proposes, God
disposes.
Give every man thy ear,
but few thy voice.
Speech is silver; but silence
is golden.
To err is human, to
forgive is divine.
8. Oxymoron: A figure
of speech which is used to express two contradictory qualities of the same
thing is known as Oxymoron.
Ex: His honour is
rooted in dishonour.
Padma was a wisest
fool.
She accepted it as the
kind cruelty of the surgeon’s knife.
9. Epigram: A figure of
speech which is used to express a brief pointed saying with antithetical ideas
is knows as an Epigram.
Ex: The child is father
of the man.
Fools rush in where
angels fear to tread.
Language is the art of
concealing thought.
10. Irony: A figure of
speech which is used to express the opposite meaning which is different from
the real meaning is known as Irony.
Ex: You are pretty
fellow.
11. Pun: A figure of
speech which is used to employ a word with two meanings to make the reader
laugh is known as Pun.
Ex: Is life worth
living?
An ambassador is an
honest man who lies abroad for the good of his country.
12. Metonymy: A figure
of speech which is used to employ a particular object which stands for a thing
or a person associated with it is known as Metonymy.
Ex: The pen (writer) is
mightier than the sword (warrior).
I love Kumari from
cradle to the grave (from infancy to death).
The Bench (judges) sent
the case to the high court.
13. Synecdoche: A
figure of speech which is used to express a part for the whole or the whole for
the part is known as Synecdoche.
Ex: All hands (persons)
are working hard.
Uneasy lies the head
(person) that wears a crown.
India (Indians)
welcomed the American President.
14. Transferred
Epithet: A figure of speech which is used to transfer the quality to the thing
is known as Transferred Epithet.
Ex: He passed a
sleepless night.
The ploughman homeward
plods his weary way.
I saw her with a sad
book.
15. Litotes: A figure
of speech which is used to convey an affirmative meaning by employing a
negative word is known as Litotes.
Ex: I achieved not a
little in life.
Padma is not an
ordinary beauty.
America is not a poor
nation.
16. Interrogation: A
figure of speech which is used to ask a question for the sake of achieving the
desired effect, is known as an Interrogation. This is also called a Rhetorical
Question.
Ex: Is life worth
living?
17. Exclamation: A
figure of speech which is used to express an idea in the form of an exclamation
is known as an Exclamation.
Ex: What a piece of
work is man!
How sweet the moonlight
sleeps upon this bank!
0! What a fall was
there my country men!
18. Climax: A figure of
speech which is used to express a series of ideas in the order of increasing
importance is known as Climax.
Ex: I came, I saw, I
won.
Some are born great,
some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
19. Anti-climax: A
figure of speech which is used to express a series of ideas in a decreasing
order is known as an Anti-climax.
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