FIGURES OF SPEECH A mode of expression in which words are used out of their literal meaning or out of their ordinary

y use in order to add beauty or emotional intensity or to transfer the poet's sense impressions by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning familiar to the reader. Some important figures of speech are: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole and symbol. ALLITERATION Alliteration refers to the repetition of a consonant sound, at least three times in a sentence. 1. Don't delay dawns disarming display. Dusk demands daylight. 2. Sara's seven sisters slept soundly in sand. ANASTROPHE Anastrophe the inversion of the normal order of speech in a particular sentence. 1. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. 2. Why should their liberty than ours be more? ANAPHORA Anaphora refers to a repetition of one particular word purposely, at the start of consecutive sentences or paragraphs. 1. I'm not afraid to die. I'm not afraid to live. I'm not afraid to fail. I'm not afraid to succeed. I'm not afraid to fall in love. I'm not afraid to be alone. I'm just afraid I might have to stop talking about myself for five minutes. 2. Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink ; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink. ANTITHESIS Antithesis is defined as an opposition or contradiction between two concepts in a statement. 1. It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry, The sun so hot, I froze to death... 2. You're easy on the eyes, hard on the heart... ANTONOMASIA Antonomasia refers to the substitution of a proper name with a phrase, which then becomes a way of recognition for the person in question. 1. The King of Pop - Michael Jackson 2. The Bard - William Shakespeare EUPHEMISM A euphemism is the use of neutral language to remark something that may be offensive to the receiver

1. We have to let you go. Read: You're fired. 2. You're well fed. Read: You're fat. HYPERBOLE A hyperbole is a figure of speech used for the purpose of exaggeration. 1. I'm so busy trying to accomplish ten million things at once. 2. Your dog is so ugly, we had to pay the fleas to live on him. IDIOM An idiom is a figure of speech that is used to help express a situation with ease, but by using expressions that are usually completely unrelated to the situation in question. 1. It's no good crying over spilt milk. - This is an idiom that simply means there is no use regretting about unfortunate events that have passed and cannot be changed. 2. It takes two to tango. - This idiom simply means that it takes more than one person to mess up a situation, i.e. it is not only always one person's fault. IRONY Irony refers to the use of certain words that actually intend to convey the opposite. Irony forms the basis of sarcasm, and of humor. 1. Bill Gates winning a computer. - Situational Irony (He is the owner of the world's largest software company.) 2. In Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet is drugged, Romeo assumes her to be dead, and kills himself. Upon waking up Juliet finds him dead, and kills herself. - Dramatic Irony (Mainly based on miscommunication and misunderstanding.) LITOTES This figure of speech refers to the use of understatement, to affirm a particular situation or event with the use of a negative opposite. 1. He was not unfamiliar with the work of Shakespeare. 2. Einstein is not a bad mathematician. METAPHOR Used for the purpose of comparison, a metaphor is a figure of speech that implies the meaning of an object with its reference to another completely unrelated object. 1. The sofa is fertile soil for a couch potato. 2. But my heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill. METONYMY Metonymy refers to the use of a phrase regarding an associated concept, in order to describe the actual concept. 1. The editorial page has always believed... - This refers to the belief of the editors who write the editorial page. 2. He writes a fine hand. - It means he has good handwriting.

OXYMORON An oxymoron uses a contradictory adjective to define an object, situation or event. 1. Loners' club 2. A stripper's dressing room PARADOX While an oxymoron is a contradictory phrase, a paradox is a contradictory statement which may appear false, but is in fact true. 1. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. - George Orwell, 1984 2. Deep down, you're really shallow. ONOMATOPOEIA Such words imitate the sounds made by certain objects or actions. 1. The clatter of utensils. 2. The flutter of birds. PARALIPSIS This figure of speech is used by people who do not wish to speak on a subject, but still manage to disclose it. 1. It would be unseemly for me to dwell on Senator Kennedy's drinking problem, and too many have already sensationalized his womanizing... 2. I will not dwell on the senator's shady history with the criminal underworld, or on her alcoholic son... such issues should not be brought up in a reasoned debate. PERSONIFICATION This refers to the art of bringing to life an inanimate object, trait, or action, by associating it with a human quality. 1. The picture in that magazine screamed for attention. 2. The carved pumpkin smiled at me. PUN Puns refer to the deliberate substitution of similar sounding words to create a humorous effect. 1. I bet the butcher the other day that he couldn't reach the meat that was on the top shelf. He refused to take the bet, saying that the steaks were too high. 2. Santa's helpers are subordinate Clauses. SIMILE A simile is similar to a metaphor. However, here, a reference between two concepts is made by using the terms 'like' or 'as'. 1. Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee Like every girl in history.- Ricky Martin (She Bangs) 2. George felt as worn out as an old joke that was never very funny in the first place.

ZEUGMA This figure of speech refers to the use of only one word to describe two actions or events. The word however, logically applies only to one of the actions. 1. She opened the door and her heart to the orphan. 2. She lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes and his hopes.