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    Figures of Speech

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    Fudge Capili
    This document defines and provides examples of various figures of speech used in the English language. It discusses 20 different figures of speech including metaphor, simile, personification, irony, and oxymoron. The purpose of figures of speech is to add texture, color and special effects to writing and speech. Examples are given for each figure of speech to illustrate how it is used.

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    Figures of Speech

    Uploaded by

    Fudge Capili
    14 views23 pages
    This document defines and provides examples of various figures of speech used in the English language. It discusses 20 different figures of speech including metaphor, simile, personification, irony, and oxymoron. The purpose of figures of speech is to add texture, color and special effects to writing and speech. Examples are given for each figure of speech to illustrate how it is used.

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    This document defines and provides examples of various figures of speech used in the English language. It discusses 20 different figures of speech including metaphor, simile, personification, irony, and oxymoron. The purpose of figures of speech is to add texture, color and special effects to writing and speech. Examples are given for each figure of speech to illustrate how it is used.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    14 views23 pages

    Figures of Speech

    Uploaded by

    Fudge Capili
    This document defines and provides examples of various figures of speech used in the English language. It discusses 20 different figures of speech including metaphor, simile, personification, irony, and oxymoron. The purpose of figures of speech is to add texture, color and special effects to writing and speech. Examples are given for each figure of speech to illustrate how it is used.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 23

    FIGURES

    OF SPEECH
    FIGURE OF SPEECH

    •Being a conglomeration of many languages, English writers and


    speakers cannot escape from using figure of speech in their desire to
    give special effects to their thoughts.
    •In general, the purpose of a figure of speech is to lend texture and
    color to your writing.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    1. Allegory- Use of figurative narrative common in


    the Bible. Fables, parables are special forms of
    allegory.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    2. Alliteration- Use of words beginning with the same letter.

    Ex: Golds, guns, and goons are common during election time.
    Preplanning prevents poor performance.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    3. Anaphora- Repetition of words in expressions.

    Ex: Judge not, be not judged.


    A true friend is forever a friend.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    4. Antithesis- Use of contrasts


    Ex: The hardest thing to do is to do nothing.
    An empty wallet is a very heavy burden to carry.
    Drive slowly in order not to be late.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    5. Assonance- Repetition of vowel sounds in syllables, as in rhymes.


    Ex: Insight and foresight
    Shower and flower
    Eminence and convenience
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    6. Cliché- Use of overused utterances

    Ex: Busy as a bee


    Last but not the least
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    7. Connotation- Suggestive meaning aside from the literal one.


    Ex: Dole outs for give away
    Happy go lucky for easy going
    In the pink of health for good health
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    8. Onomatopoeia- Use of sounds from animals or things conceivably


    by the senses. The first sound is usually repeated in the second
    element.
    Ex: tick-tack
    chug-chug
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    9. Epigram-A witty satirical poem where there is a turn of


    thought.
    Ex: The beauty of a lady is in her ugliness.
    Common sense is uncommon
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    10. Epistrophe- The reverse of anaphora. Repeated words are at


    the terminal lines.
    Ex: Tell me who your companions are, and I shall tell you who
    you are.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    11. Euphemism- Use of inoffensive words for seemingly


    offensive ones.
    Ex: Comfort room for toilet
    Tonsorial artist for barber
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    12. Hyperbole- An exaggeration of utterance for emphasis.

    Ex: Walking stick could mean a thin person


    Chicken feed could mean a big sum
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    13. Irony- An expression used in the opposite view to form a


    sarcasm.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    14. Litotes/ understatement- It is a contrast to hyperbole, win that, it


    implies humility.
    Ex: In response to a harm done unintentionally by someone, “It’s all
    right.”
    “Not bad” instead of being hysterical on something unusual.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    15. Metaphor- Use of indirect comparison. It is more general


    than allusion.
    Ex: Powers that be refer to persons in authority.
    The calm lake was a mirror.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    16. Oxymoron- Use of contradicting words in an utterance.


    Ex: Cold fire
    Deafening silence
    Cruel kindness
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    17. Paradox- Phrase or clause that seems to contradict itself


    Ex: The only difference between a madman and myself is that I
    am not mad.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    18. Personification- Manner of giving human attributes to


    inanimate objects.
    Ex: The typhoon painted the sky black.
    I can hear the singing birds.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    19. Simile- Use of direct comparison on two unlike things.


    Ex: The earth is like a giant ball.
    Sheep are like goats.
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    20. Symbolism- Use of words that represents itself or something


    else.
    Ex: Mother stands for love
    Owl represents wisdom
    FIGURES OF SPEECH

    21. Synecdoche- The scheme of naming a part when the whole


    is meant, and vice versa.
    Ex: The head of a wanted criminal refers to the entire person.
    United States refers to the entire continent of America.

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