Figure of Speech 1
Mahamud Sir/01911 761 891
What is a figure of speech?
A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to create an effect. This
effect may be rhetorical as in the deliberate arrangement of words to achieve something poetic,
or imagery as in the use of language to suggest a visual picture or make an idea more vivid.
Overall, figures of speech function as literary devices because of their expressive use of language.
Words are used in other ways than their literal meanings or typical manner of application.
20 types of figures of speech
1. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repeating of consonant sounds right next to each other, which creates a
memorable or melodic effect.
Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.
2 Antithesis
Antithesis is a literary technique that places opposite things or ideas next to one another in order
to draw out their contrast.
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .” —Charles Dickens, A Tale of
Two Cities
3 Apostrophe
Apostrophe as a figure of speech is when a character addresses someone or something that isn’t
present or cannot respond. The character might speak to someone deceased, an inanimate
object, or a concept.
Example: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” —William Shakespeare, Romeo and
Juliet
4 Circumlocution
Circumlocution is the use of a purposely wordy description. You can think of it as talking in circles.
Example: In the Harry Potter series, most characters don’t say Lord Voldemort’s name; instead,
they use this circumlocution: “He Who Must Not Be Named.”
5 Epigram
An epigram is a clever and memorable statement. You will find epigrams in speeches, poetry,
and at the front of a book.
Example: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
6 Euphemism
A euphemism is a way to say something in an understated manner, often to avoid difficult
topics—like money, death, or sex.
Example: Death can be an uncomfortable subject, so we’ve developed many euphemisms to
avoid confronting it head-on. Rather than telling a friend that a relative died, you might say they
“kicked the bucket,” “passed away,” or are “no longer with us.”
7 Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration that adds emphasis, urgency, or excitement to a
statement.
Example: If I don’t eat soon, I’m going to die of hunger.
8 Irony
Irony is a situation that subverts a reader’s expectations.
Example: One of the characters in your story is a hypochondriac, always convinced that they have
an exotic and uncurable disease. An ironic ending for that character would be if they died of a
common cold.
9 Litotes
Litotes use a double negative to create a positive.
Example: You’re not wrong.
10 Metaphor
A metaphor is the direct comparison of dissimilar things to create more vivid imagery or
understanding.
Example: He was an onion; to understand him, she had to peel back the layers.
11 Metonymy
Metonymy is a literary device in which a word or object stands in for a closely related word or
object. Metonymy gives a writer more variability with descriptions.
Example: I thought his movies were better when they weren’t so Hollywood.
12 Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it means.
Example: When a character is exasperated, they might exclaim, “Sheesh!” That’s both a word to
show exasperation and a sound that happens when you sigh loudly.
13 Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a phrase that uses two contradictory words to create a new meaning.
Example: That strawberry cake was awfully good.
14 Paradox
A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself but contains some truth, theme, or
humour.
Example: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” —George
Orwell, Animal Farm
15 Personification
Personification is assigning human attributes to nonhuman things.
Example: The floorboards groaned under the weight of each step.
16 Pleonasm
Pleonasm is the use of more words than necessary to convey meaning. A writer might use
pleonasm for humor or emphasis, or they might not realize they’re using extra words at all.
Example: The burning fire warmed the whole house.
17 Pun
A pun is a form of wordplay that purposely substitutes words that sound similar but have
different meanings.
Example: “‘Mine is a long and a sad tale!’ said the Mouse, turning to Alice and sighing. ‘It is a long
tail, certainly,’ said Alice, looking down with wonder at the Mouse’s tail; ‘but why do you call it
sad?’” —Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
18 Simile
A simile compares two dissimilar things using “like” or “as.” The goal of simile is to give the reader
a more vivid understanding of something.
Example: It was the first real day of summer, and by the time she came back indoors, she was as
red as a tomato.
19 Synecdoche
Synecdoche is when a smaller unit is used to signify a larger unit or vice versa.
Example: New England won the game by a touchdown. (Here, New England means New
England’s football team.)
20 Understatement
Understatement is the intentional downplaying of a situation. This can create a humorous or
deadpan effect in writing.
Example: “I have to have this operation. It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the
brain.” —J.D. Salinger, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’
Identify the Figure of Speech
Read the following sentences and identify the figure of speech used.
1. The thief was as sly as a fox. Simile
2. Upon explanation, the concept was as clear as crystal to Rahul.
3. The soldier jumped on the enemies like a hungry lion.
4. The camel is the ship of the desert.
5. The dentist had a severe toothache.
6. Mr. Sharma thought the sweets were calling him.
7. It seemed that the sky was going to cry the entire night.
8. I would forgive you when pigs fly.
9. Man proposes; God disposes.
10. What a piece of work is, man!
11. Death touched Miss David with its icy fingers.
12. Sheldon is a walking dictionary.
13. The sausages tasted awfully good.
14. Sheena was as proud as a peacock.
15. It has been raining cats and dogs for hours.
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