Poetic Device/Literary Det -e/Figure of Speech A figure of speech is a deviation from the ordinary use of words in order to increase their effectiveness. It usually empha es, embellishes, or clarifies language in both written and oral form. Importance of Figure of Speech vvv > It enhances the beauty of the writing, It makes the sentence deeper and leaves the reader with a sense of wonder. It brings life to the words used by the writer. The figure of Speech not only shows the writers intent but also his purpose in using such language. It adds flavour to the writing and makes it so much more enjoyable for the reader. ‘Types of Figure Of Speech 1 3 5 Simile - In a simile, two things which are completely unlocked are compared with each other. A simile is introduced by words such as like, 50, as ete. Examples - ‘+ The flower is as pretty as a picture. + He is as sober as a judge, + The floor was as slippery as an eel ‘+ They looked like peas in a pod. + He eats like a pig. Metaphor - When you compare two unlike or different things or ideas, it is known as a metaphor. It is, an informal or implied simile in which the words ‘like’ ‘as” are avoided, For example, He is like a Giant - Simile and He is a Giant - Metaphor. Examples - + You are the apple of my eye © Ocean’s sound is music to my ear. + Heart of gold. + Heisa night owl + Time is money. Personification - In Personification, non-living things, abstract ideas or qualities are mentioned as ‘humans or living things. Example - ‘+ Angry clouds surrounded the island. + Earth was thirsty for water. ‘+ The flowers talked to them in the garden. ‘+ The wind howled that night. ‘+ The snowflakes danced at night. Apostrophe - In this figure of speech, the writer mentions the absent or inanimate objects as alive and writes about them, Example - ‘O, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” + “Twinkle, twinkle, litle star, how I wonder what you are” ‘+ “Walter, remember when the world was young and all the girls knew Walter's name? Walter, n't ita shame the way our little world has changed.” Oxymoron - An Oxymoron is when two words are used together in a sentence but they seem to be in contrast with each other. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that willingly uses two differing ideas. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that creates a new concept or ‘meaning for the whole, Example - + Life is bittersweet. ‘+ They knew they could feel the joyful sadness on his arrival. + Sweet sorrow. + Peace force.+ Free market, + Jumbo ant 6. Hyperbole - Hyperbole is when you use words to exaggerate what you mean or emphasize a point. It is, used to make something seem bigger or more important than it actually is. Example - ‘+ Ithas been ages since I have had a proper meal. ‘+ Usain Bolt runs faster than the wind, + Teould do this forever. ‘+ She’s older than this world, + Everybody knows me. 7. Alliteration - It is a series of words, which commence with the same letter. Alliteration consists of the repetition of a sound or of a letter at the beginning of two or more words. For Example - + Dirty dolphins dove across the ocean, + Purple pandas painted portraits ‘+ She sells seashells. + Nick needed new notebooks. + Fred fried frogs’ legs on Friday. 8. Onomatopoeia - It is the figure of speech where the word is used to deseribe a sound. When we explain any action by putting the sounds into language, it is known as onomatopoeia. It is generally used in fiction ot in nursery rhymes, for eg- Old Macdonald had a farm E-FE--O. Words like whoosh, splat, buzz, oink, click, etc, are used to create this effect. Example - ‘+ Teould hear the leaves rustling and the wind howling, ‘+ Bam! He hit the truck at the speed of 80 kmph, 9. Anaphora - When many phrases or verses start with the same word, it is known as anaphora. Example - + Tame, I saw, I conquered. ‘+ We shall not stop. We shall go on and on, We shall move forward. 10. Euphemism - It is known as a euphemism when we replace blunt, offensive, or harsh terms with soft, ‘mild, vague, or indirect terms. Example - ‘+ Using letting you go instead of firing + Using a little thin on top instead of getting bald + Using, passed away instead of killed or died ‘+ Using stick to the truth instead of calling someone a liar 11. Irony - If you use terms that contrast with what you say and what you do, it is known as irony. It’s like a difference between what is said and what is meant. Example - ‘© It was an intelligent donkey. A pilot has a fear of flying. The police station gets robbed. A traffic cop got a ticket for parking in a no-parking zone. The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but got sunk on its first trip. When the viewer knows who the killer is in the movie, but the actor doesn’t know that 12, Syneedoche - If a part is represented by a whole or a whole is represented by a part, it is known as synecdocke. Example - ‘+ Colgate — any toothpaste © Wheels ~a car + Employed people ~ workers ‘+ The traffic ~many vehicles 13. Understatement - When you try to say or show something of no importance or less importance.Example - ‘+ Referring a big wound to just a seratch ‘+ Saying it little dry instead of desert + Referring big destruction to just an accident 14, Overstatement- is a figure of speech in which the speaker exaggerates to make a point. An overstatement is often used to emphasize an idea or emotion, and it usually appears at the beginning or end of an argumentative sentence. It can be humorous, but it’s more likely that overstatements are intended to provoke strong emotions in listeners while avoiding any risk of being proven wrong by facts. For example, “I am so tired” could be an overstatement of how you really feel about being tired, Example: * You should've seen the fish I caught — it was as big as my le * Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 15, Repetition- The words are repeated to lay emphasis on the said lines, Example: * Break o break open till they break the town, + All she did was smile, smile, and smile * [feel happy to see happy people make others happy. 16, Paradox- one thing is opposite to another in a sentence in an absurd manner. Example: Waris peace, freedom is slavery. * [know one thing, I know nothing * A child is the father of the man, 17, Rpithet- itis used as an adjective or phrase given to a person to enhance one’s quality. Example: He was called Evans the break. © They were hard-eamning people. * He called the white-haired director. 18. Imagery- it creates abstract thoughts, ideas, and ambiance in readers’ minds by the poets or authors. Example: * Merry Children were spilling out of their homes * Trees were sprinting at an incredible speed. 19, Refrain- it is used to repeat lines at regular intervals in the poem, especially at the end of the poem. Example:- * Miles to go before I sleep. * Men may come, and men may go, but I go on forever. 20. Metonymy- it is used to substitute one term for another. Example: + Lam reading Chetan Bhagat these days. (talking about the book) © They were listening to Lata Mangeshkar. ( Songs)