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Figures of speech

The document outlines various figures of speech, including comparisons like similes and metaphors, sound devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, and contradictions like antithesis and oxymoron. It also discusses exaggeration and understatement techniques, including hyperbole and euphemism, as well as other literary devices like puns and metonymy. Each figure of speech is accompanied by examples to illustrate their use.

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17 views

Figures of speech

The document outlines various figures of speech, including comparisons like similes and metaphors, sound devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, and contradictions like antithesis and oxymoron. It also discusses exaggeration and understatement techniques, including hyperbole and euphemism, as well as other literary devices like puns and metonymy. Each figure of speech is accompanied by examples to illustrate their use.

Uploaded by

kierngrey
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FIGURES OF SPEECH

COMPARISONS
a. SIMILE
A simile is a comparison with the help of the He is as wealthy as Bill Gates.
words “like” or “as.” Her personality is like a bubble in a bottle of
champagne.
b. METAPHOR
A metaphor is a comparison without the use of He is a Bill Gates. (They are both rich)
as or like She is a bubble in a bottle of champagne.
c. PERSONIFICATION
Personification gives human qualities to Autumn arrived in his coat of orange and gold.
inanimate objects or abstract ideas. The clouds looked down and wept.
Pride embraced her as she went to receive her
award.
SOUND DEVICES
a. ALLITERATION
Alliteration is the repetition of the consonant Football fever fuels fans.
sounds at the beginning of words. Rampant Rooney crushes Croatia.
b. ASSONANCE
Assonance is the repetition of the vowel The eccentric Esther enthused her listeners.
sounds. Clap your hands and stamp your feet.
c. ONOMATOPOEIA
Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate and The sky exploded with a crash, bang and a
reproduce real-life sounds and actions. hissing of fireworks.
The tranquillity of the scene was enhanced by
the rustling of the reeds and the whistling of the
wind.
d. SIBILANCE
Sibilance is a figure of speech in which a Sing a Song of Sixpence
hissing sound is created within a group of I like to hold on to my dreams of the Summer
words through the repetition of ‘s’ sounds. sun softly shining down on me.

CONTRADICTIONS
a. ANTITHESIS
Antithesis compares and contradicts ideas or Don’t underestimate him; he’s a mouse in
statements within a sentence. stature and a lion in strength.
The internet is a master of technology and a
thief of time.
b. OXYMORON
An oxymoron places two seemingly The mother waved her son off to war with
contradictory words next to each other. painful pride.
The accused felt angry relief when she was
proved innocent.
c. PARADOX
A paradox is a seemingly absurd or You will kill him with your kindness.
contradictory statement which, when She is only happy when she has something to
analysed, is found to be true. worry about.
d. IRONY
Irony implies the opposite of what is said.
1. SITUATIONAL IRONY
Here the opposite of what is expected occurs. The marriage counsellor filed for divorce.

2. DRAMATIC IRONY
When the audience has knowledge of
something which the characters A detective who is employed to catch a thief,
are unware of. might himself be arrested for dishonesty.

e. SARCASM
Sarcasm, like irony, occurs when one thing is You must have worked very hard to be the
said, but something else is intended or bottom of the class.
understood. Sarcasm is used with the express
purpose of hurting, insulting or humiliating.
f. SATIRE
Satire is sharp wit, irony, or sarcasm used to
highlight, expose or ridicule human, social or
political weakness. The aim is to change the
situation, educate and entertain through
humour.

g. PARODY "Weird Al" Yankovic - Word Crimes


This is the imitation and/or exaggeration of
other text types e.g. poems, in order to satirise
or create humour
EXAGGERATION AND UNDERSTATEMENT
a. HYPERBOLE The teacher complained that she had had
An over-exaggeration, not meant to be taken hundreds of interruptions that day.
literally. It aims to create humour or to She prepared enough food to feed an army.
emphasise a point.

b. LITOTES
Litotes uses a negative and an opposite to He is no Einstein.
understate what is intended. The gruesome sight was far from pretty.
c. EUPHEMISM
Euphemism expresses an unpleasant or The camp forbids any form of chemical
uncomfortable situation in a more sensitive, stimulants.
kind and tactful manner. He passed away.
d. INNUENDO
An innuendo is a disapproving remark which Q: How did you like my production?
hints at something, without stating it directly. A: The sets were beautiful.

OTHERS
a. PUNS
A pun is a clever play on words, alike in sound Cricket captain stumped.
but different in meaning. The double meaning
is used to convey humour.
c. METONYMY
In metonymy, something associated with the The hotel has a good table.
object represents the object. The pen is mightier than the sword.

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