FIGURE OF SPEECH

A Figure of Speech is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition.

1. SIMILIE:

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as.” Therefore, it is a direct comparison. Authors and poets utilize simile to convey their sentiments and thoughts. 

• Our soldiers are brave like lions. 
• The glow of the tube-light was as bright as the sunshine. 
• At exam time, the high school student was as busy as a bee. 
• The beggar on the road looked as blind as a bat. 
• When the examination finished, the candidate felt as light as a feather.

2. METAPHOR:

A Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated, but which share some common characteristics. However, the metaphor figure of speech is different from a simile, because we do not use “like” or “as” to develop a comparison in metaphor poems and metaphor sentences. 

• My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.) 
• The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.) 
• Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy) 

3. PERSONIFICATION: 

Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing – an idea or an animal – is given human attributes.The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings. For example, when we say, “The sky weeps,” we are giving the sky the ability to cry, which is a human quality. 

• The wind whispered through dry grass. 
• The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. 
• The tread of time is so ruthless that it tramples even the kings under its feet.

4. APOSTROPHE: 

In literature, apostrophe is a figure of speech sometimes represented by an exclamation, such as “Oh.” A writer or speaker, using apostrophe, speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an inanimate object. 

• O death! Where is thy sting? 
• O grave! Where is thy victory?

5. HYPERBOLE:

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. It is a device that we employ in our day-to-day speech. Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasize the real situation. 

• He saw his childhood friend after ages. 
• The weather was so hot that literally everything was on fire. 
• The boy was dying to get a new school bag.  

6. EUPHEMISM:

The term euphemism refers to polite, indirect expressions that replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite, or which suggest something unpleasant. Euphemism is an idiomatic expression, which loses its literal meanings and refers to something else, in order to hide its unpleasantness. For example: 

• “kick the bucket” is a euphemism that describes the death of a person.

7. ANTITHESIS:

Antithesis, which literally means “opposite,” is a device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses. For example: 

• “Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.” 

8. OXYMORON:

Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings, such as “cruel kindness,” or “living death”. 

• Open secret 
• Tragic comedy 
• Seriously funny 
• Awfully pretty 
• Foolish wisdom 
• The channel was repeating the old news again and again. 
• There was an employee in the office who was regularly irregular.

9. EPIGRAM:

An epigram is a short and witty statement, usually written in verse, that conveys a single thought or observation. . Below are some popular examples of epigram used in common speech: 

• “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put and end to mankind.” – John F. Kennedy. “If we don't end war, war will end us.”
• The Child is father of the man.