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fIGURE OF SPEECH

The document discusses various types of figurative language used by literary authors to enhance their messages, including analogy, cliché, connotation, euphemism, hyperbole, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, and synecdoche. Each type is defined with examples to illustrate its use in both literature and everyday communication. Understanding these figures of speech enriches the appreciation of literary texts and improves communication skills.

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6 views

fIGURE OF SPEECH

The document discusses various types of figurative language used by literary authors to enhance their messages, including analogy, cliché, connotation, euphemism, hyperbole, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, and synecdoche. Each type is defined with examples to illustrate its use in both literature and everyday communication. Understanding these figures of speech enriches the appreciation of literary texts and improves communication skills.

Uploaded by

sharmz unabia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Literary authors use figurative language or figures of speech to

deliver a more effective, persuasive, and impactful message. This


enriches a literary text to further elevate the themes and
concepts presented in it.
We have already been introduced to the common figures of
speech like simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and personification in
the past. This helped us understand and appreciate stories and
novels that heavily used this device.
The following are some other kinds of figurative language that
we also use in our daily conversations and communication.

1. An analogy is a comparison that presents the similarities


between two concepts or ideas.
Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.”
In the example, the sword and the pen were compared because both of them are weapons
or instruments used by a warrior and a writer, respectively. Both occupations will not
function without their respective instruments.

2. A cliché is a word, a phrase, a sentence, or a whole text that used to be perceived as clever
but has become démodé. One reason may be through frequency of use and that it no longer
provides surprise to the reader nor vivid imagery. This is something that must be avoided in
writing.
raining cats and dogs
lovely as a rose
quick as lightning
The abovementioned statements are so overused that they no longer give an artistic effect.

3. Connotation is the secondary or suggestive meaning of the word, one that is not its literal
or primary meaning in the dictionary. To better understand connotation, it would be helpful to
become familiar with denotation as well. Denotation is the literal meaning of the word, one
that is usually its primary meaning in the dictionary.
green home
green products
green living
The word green in the examples does not only refer to the color but has also become
synonymous to being environmentally sound.
house, home, residence, abode, dwelling
These words may all have the same denotation, but each has its own association. For
instance, house refers to one’s place of residence when talking formally, but home may refer
to any place.

4. Euphemism is used to substitute for a description that is considered harsh or blunt. This
figurative language is most often used for delicate matters such as sex, death or violence, and
embarrassing topics.
She is with our Creator now.
This means that the subject has died. Other euphemisms for death are “gone to heaven,”
“eternal peace,” “at rest,” and “left the earth.”

5. Hyperbole is a gross exaggeration to achieve an effect, usually for humor or emphasis.


I was dying of boredom while I was waiting in line.
The use of the term dying is an exaggeration since boredom is not a possible cause of death.
6. Metaphor compares two seemingly unlike objects that have similar or common
characteristics without the use of like or as.
The assignment was a breeze.
The assignment and breeze are unlike objects. Using breeze to describe the assignment
means that it was easy since the word breeze is associated with the words pleasant and easy.

7. Metonymy is a word or phrase that is substituted for another that is closely associated to
it.
The Malacañang Palace released a statement regarding the President’s health.
In the example above, the term Malacañang Palace was used to substitute for the
representative from the Office of the President of the Philippines since Malacañang Palace is
the proper noun for the place where the Philippine president resides and takes office.

8. An oxymoron is a combination of two ideas that appear to be opposite or contradictory.


complete break
dirty white
tuck out
Complete break is an oxymoron since a break is a temporary event and the word complete is
associated with permanence. Dirty white is contradicting because white is associated with
cleanliness and spotlessness. Tuck out is also contradicting because tucking as a motion is
directed toward the inside of a certain place or thing.

9. A paradox is an assertion that seems to be contradictory or silly but actually reveals some
truth.

"I must be cruel to be kind."


- Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Being cruel is the opposite of being kind; however, this is a paradox many parents are
familiar with. Some actions such as giving their children a curfew or restricting some of their
spending may be seen as cruel, but it is actually beneficial or kind for the children in the long
run.

10. Personification is a statement or statements wherein an animal, object, or abstract idea


is given human attributes or characteristics.
The flowers bathe in sunlight, and the grass reached out to the sky.
The verbs bathe and reach are actions that are performed normally by humans, not by flowers
and grass. However, personification was used to present a vivid imagery of how the flowers
are under the sun and how tall the grass is.

11. Simile compares two seemingly unlike objects by using the words like or as.
Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
The adjective brave was used to compare lions and soldiers. The use of the word as makes
the statement a simile.

12. Synecdoche is used when a part or portion of something is used to represent the whole
or vice versa.
I brought my wheels.
How many heads are coming to the party?
In the first example, wheels are used to stand for the term car. In the second example, heads
stand for people.

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