arn how to improve your writing and oratory skills by using various figures of speech.

These can be understood with the help of these figures of speech examples.

What are figures of speech? We can all put words together and come up with sentences to express ourselves. But sometimes, it's nice to enhance the language a little, without having to say everything literally. The transformation from ordinary speech to extraordinary speech, can be done with the use of a variety of figures of speech. This is the main purpose of figures of speech literary devices used to enhance the !uality of language, written or spoken. "ow can you employ these to improve your writing and oratory skills? With the help of the following figures of speech examples, used in the #nglish language. Examples of Figures of Speech $igures of speech provoke a thought process and bring depth to the language. To be able to use them well is an art, which can be mastered over time. The more you read, the more you will be able to understand. With the help of the following figures of speech examples, you too can master the art of using them appropriately. Alliteration: %lliteration refers to the repetition of any particular sound among words placed close together, in a sentence. These are mainly consonant sounds, but can be vowel sounds too. &t is often used as a figure of speech in poetry. 'ome examples of alliteration are

Don't delay dawns disarming display. Dusk demands daylight. ( )aul *ccan Saras seven sisters slept soundly in sand.

Anastrophe: This refers to the inversion of the normal order of speech in a particular sentence. &t can also be said, that the language is interrupted, and speech takes a sudden turn. This is used for the purpose of emphasis. #xamples of anastrophe are

Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. ( #dgar %llan )oe, The Tell(Tale "eart +,riginal 'entence There was no ob-ect. There was no passion. & loved the old man.. hy should their liberty than ours be more! ( %driana, /omedy of #rrors, William 'hakespeare +,riginal 'entence Why should their liberty be more than ours?.

Anaphora: %naphora refers to a repetition of one particular word purposely, at the start of consecutive sentences or paragraphs. This is again in order to emphasi0e a point. #xamples of anaphora are

I'm not a"raid to die. I'm not a"raid to live. I'm not a"raid to "ail. I'm not a"raid to succeed. I'm not a"raid to "all in love. I'm not

a"raid to be alone. I'm just a"raid I might have to stop talking about mysel" "or "ive minutes. ( 1inky $riedman, When the /at's %way

ater# water# every where# $nd all the boards did shrink % ater# water# every where# &or any drop to drink. ( 'amuel Taylor /oleridge, 2ime of the %ncient *ariner

Antonomasia: %ntonomasia refers to the substitution of a proper name, with a phrase, which then becomes a way of recognition for the person in !uestion. This can be explained with the help of the following examples

'he (ing o" Pop ( *icheal 3ackson 'he )ard ( William 'hakespeare 'he Dark (night ( Batman

Euphemism: % euphemism is the use of neutral language to remark something that may be offensive to the receiver. #uphemism is often used by people who are diplomatic, and who wish to be politically correct. 'ome examples of this figure of speech are

e have to let you go. 2ead 4ou're fired. *ou're well "ed. 2ead 4ou're fat.

Hyperbole: % hyperbole is a figure of speech used for the purpose of exaggeration. &t mainly forms the basis of several -okes, is used as a way of insults, or could simply be used to dramati0e a situation, where in reality, the situation may not be that bad. This can be understood with the help of these hyperbole examples

I'm so busy trying to accomplish ten million things at once. ( &'m trying to accomplish several things at one time. *our dog is so ugly# we had to pay the "leas to live on him. ( "ere the hyperbole has been used as an insult.

Irony: &rony refers to the use of certain words that actually intend to convey the opposite. &rony forms the basis of sarcasm, and of humor. &t is also a way of expressing the ugly truth in a slightly gentle manner. 'ome irony examples are

)ill +ates winning a computer. ( 'ituational &rony +"e is the owner of the world's largest software company.. ,aving a "ight with your best "riend just be"ore your birthday# and commenting -.+reat# this is just what I needed.. ( 5erbal &rony +&t is probably the worst thing that could happen before your birthday.. In /omeo and 0uliet# when 0uliet is drugged# /omeo assumes her to be dead# and kills himsel". 1pon waking up 0uliet "inds him dead# and kills hersel". ( 6ramatic &rony +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. #xamples include

,e was not un"amiliar with the work o" Shakespeare. ( "e was familiar with the work of 'hakespeare. 2instein is not a bad mathematician. ( #instein is a great mathematician.

Metaphor: 7sed for the purpose of comparison, a metaphor is a figure of speech that implies the meaning of an ob-ect with its reference to another completely unrelated ob-ect. $or instance

'he so"a is "ertile soil "or a couch potato. )ut my heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill. ( William 'harp, The 8onely "unter

Metonymy: *etonymy refers to the use of a phrase regarding associated concept, in order to describe the actual concept. 'ome metonymy examples are

'he 'editorial page' has always believed... ( This refers to the belief of the editors who write the editorial page. ,e writes a "ine hand ( &t means he has good handwriting.

Oxymoron: %n oxymoron uses a contradictory ad-ective to define an ob-ect, situation or event. ,xymoron examples are

3oners club $ stripper's dressing room I'd give my right arm to be ambide4trous5

Onomatopoeia: 'uch words imitate the sounds made by certain ob-ects or actions. 'ome examples of onomatopoeia are

'he clatter o" utensils. 'he "lutter o" birds.

Paralipsis: This figure of speech is used by people who do not wish to speak on a sub-ect, but still manage to disclose it. 'ome examples are

It would be unseemly "or me to dwell on Senator (ennedys drinking problem# and too many have already sensationali6ed his womani6ing7 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 ob-ect, trait, or action, by associating it with a human !uality. #xamples of personification are

'he picture in that maga6ine screamed "or attention. 'he carved pumpkin smiled at me.

Pun: )uns refer to the deliberate substitution of similar sounding words, to create a humorous effect. $or example

I bet the butcher the other day that he couldnt reach the meat that was on the top shel". ,e re"used to take the bet# saying that the steaks were too high. Santas helpers are subordinate 8lauses.

Rhetoric: 2hetoric refers to the art of persuasion through effective speech. 9uestions that have an obvious answer are known as rhetorical !uestions. 'uch !uestions are not expected to be answered, as the answer is already known. These are included in persuasive speech. 'ome examples include

I" practice makes per"ect# and no one's per"ect# then why practice! ( Billy /organ

hy do you need a drivers license to buy li9uor when you cannot drink and drive!

Simile: % simile is similar to a metaphor. "owever, here, a reference between two concepts is made by using the terms 'like' or 'as'. 'ome simile examples are

8ause she looks like a "lower but she stings like a bee:3ike every girl in history. ( 2icky *artin +eorge "elt as worn out as an old joke that was never very "unny in the "irst 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. $or instance

She opened the door and her heart to the orphan. She lowered her standards by raising her glass# her courage# her eyes and his hopes

Figures of Speech
A Figure of Speech is a departure from ordinary form, or the ordinary course of ideas to make a greater effect.

Above is the answer for Define Figure of Speech. Why are Figures of Speech used? What is the use of Figures of Speech? These must be the questions in mind. Here is the exp anation and reasons of usage of figures of speech. !. "t#s better and best to say $He has gone to heavens# instead of $He has died#. %ou can ma&e from the two sentences and the first one is better. '. "t#s better to say $" have gone to answer nature#s ca # than to say $"#ve gone to toi et#.

"n both examp es( we have used figures of speech.

List of figures of speech

Synecdoche Alliteration Jingles Exclamation Tautology Simile Metaphor Verbal Metaphor Adjectival Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Personification Apostrophe nversion Antithesis Epigram Metonymy !eugma "limax Anti#"limax

Euphemism Periphrasis Pathetic fallacy $nomatopoeia Transferred Epithet %hetorical &uestion or nterrogation 'yperbole Pun rony Poetic Phraseology ntrusive Smartness %edundancies Analogy Allegory Propsopopoeia or Vision Aposiopesis repetition %epeated propositions Archaism $xymoron

Paradox Allusion (itotes nnuendo Antics Pretentious "ircumlocution Patroni)ing Superiority *etermined Pictures+ue

,igures $f Speech ExplanationSynecdoche

Define Synecdoche:
When a part is used to designate the who e or the who e to designate a part or abstract for concrete for abstract then the figure of speech is ca ed as Synecdoche. )xamp es and exp anation of Synecdoche. a* +ive us this dai y bread. Bread is used to denote food. b* A hand unhoo&ed the chain. $Hand# is used to denote a man.

Alliteration

Alliteration Definition:
"n a iteration( simi ar sound or repetition of simi ar etters are used to generate poetic effect. )xamp es as we as exp anation of A iteration. a* The tiny ships on the shiny sea. The sound of $iny# is used to produce poetic effect. b* He stopped there for stone and on y stone.

The sound of $st# is repeated p easing y.

Simile

Define Simile:
Figure of speech is Simi e when a direct comparison is made between two ob,ects of different &inds which have at east one point in common. For producing Simi e( words $AS#( $-".)# and $S/# are used. )xamp es of Figure of Speech Simi e. a* He fought i&e a ion. )xp anation0 The bravery of $H)# is direct y compared to that as of a $-ion#. b* "t is as good as go d. c* %ou are i&e my son )xp anation0 "n both above examp es( figure of speech is Simi e because a direct comparison has been made between two things. Figure of Speech Simi e is quite simp e.

Metaphor

Define Metaphor:
1n i&e Simi e( figure of speech is 2etaphor when an indirect comparison is made between two things. 2etaphor is an imp ied Simi e. )xamp es of 2etaphor. a* The came is ship of desert. )xp anation0 %ou &now that came is actua y not a ship. Thus( an indirect comparison is made between came and ship. b* -ife is a dream c* A the wor d is a stage. )xp anation0 We see in above both examp es( figure of speech is same and it is 2etaphor because of indirectcomparison between two things.

Personification

Personification Definition:
When inanimate ob,ect and abstract notions are spo&en of as having ife then the figures of speech is 3ersonification. )xamp es of 3ersonification. a* The sun oo&ed at me. )xp anation0 $Sun# has been given the human qua ity of oo&ing. Hence( figures of speech is 3ersonification.

b* 4eath ays its icy hands on &ings. )xp anation0 $4eath# has been given $hands#. So( figure of speech is 3ersonification. c* A stars peeped at me. )xp anation0 $Stars# have been given human qua ity of $peeping#. Therefore( figure of speech is 3ersonification.

Apostrophe

Apostrophe Definition:
"n this figure of speech( writer or spea&er turns away from the main sub,ect and ma&es a sudden( short address to a person absent or dead or to an inanimate idea or ob,ects. This is the meaning of $Apostrophe#. )xamp es of Apostrophe. a* 2i ton5 Thou shou d be iving at this hour. )xp anation0 A short address is made to a person named $2i ton# who is dead at the time of addressing. Hence( figure of speech is Apostrophe. b* / fame5 " ove you to praise. )xp anation0 Figures of speech is Apostrophe here because inanimate idea is addressed. 6* /h my country5 " ove you. )xp anation0 "nanimate ob,ect $country# is sudden y ca ed. Therefore( figure of speech is Apostrophe.

Inversion or Anastrophe

Define Inversion:
When the correct prose order of a sentence is changed for poetic effect then the figure of speech is "nversion. "nversion examp es0 a* 7arren are those mountains. )xp anation0 Words in above examp e are not in correct prose order. Hence( figures of speech is "nversion. A so( the correct prose order is $Those mountains are barren#. b* Wea th " see& do not. )xp anation0 For poetic effect( words have not been p aced in correct prose order. So( the figure of speech is "nversion. 6orrect prose order is $" do not see& wea th#. c* Fa se was the news. )xp anation0 Words are not in correct order. The correct prose order is $The news was fa se#. And so the figure of speech is "nversion. d* +ood is your brother. )xp anation0 The correct order of words in above sentence is $%our brother is good#. As it is understood now and very simp e to say that figure of speech is "nversion.

Antithesis

Define Antithesis:
When opposite ideas 8opposite words* are expressed in same ine then the figure of speech used is ca ed Antithesis. )xamp es of Antithesis0 a* He is good but " am bad. )xp anation0 /pposite words $good# and $bad# occur in same ine and hence( figure of speech is $Antithesis#. b* 9ot near but not so far. )xp anation0 Figure of speech is Antithesis because opposite words $near# and $far# occur. c* Many earn but on y few are satisfied. )xp anation0 opposite words $many# and $few# come in same sentence. So( figures of speech is Antithesis.

Epigram

Define Epigram:
This figure of speech is an apparent contradiction in anguage which by causing a temporary shoc& draws our attention to some inner or deeper meaning. )xamp es of )pigram0 a* The chi d is father of man. b* 6owards die many times before their death.

Metonymy

Define Metonymy:
"n this figure( an ob,ect is designated by the name of something which is genera y associated with it. This is ca ed 2etonymy. 2etonymy examp es0 a* The crown ru es the empire. )xp anation0 $6rown# is used instead of $.ing# or $3rince#. So( figures of speech is 2etonymy. b* The pen is mightier than the sword. )xp anation0 $3en# has been used instead of $writer#. And $sword# has been used instead of $warrior#. Therefore( figures of speech is 2etonymy.

Jingles

Define Jingles:
When words of different meanings are used p easant y( then the figure of speech is :ing es. )xamp es of ,ing es0 a* " awaited a belated train. b* To read his ta es is a invalidity by technicality.

E clamation

Define Exclamation:
When strong emotion or fee ing is expressed( then the figures of speech is )xc amation. )xc amation can be easi y identified by searching for exc amation mar&. So( ,ob is simp e now. )xamp es of exc amation0 a* /h5 " forgot. b* Hurray5 We won. )xp anation0 "n both examp e( a strong exc amation is made. Figures of speech is exc amation.

!autology "or Pleonasm#

Define Tautology:
"n a sentence( when different words of a most same meaning are used then figures of speech used is ca ed as Tauto ogy. )xamp es of tauto ogy0 a* " rejoiced at the happy night. )xp anation0 Words $re,oice# and $happy# have a most same meaning. Hence( figures of speech used is ca ed as Tauto ogy. b* At the same old ancient inn. )xp anation0 Words $o d# and $ancient# have a most same meaning. Hence( it is Tauto ogy.

$yper%ole
yper!ole Definition:

When an exaggerated over statement is made then the figure of speech is Hyperbo e. )xamp es of hyperbo e0 a* " shed mi ion buc&ets of tears.

b* Are worth a your aure s. )xp anation0 /bvious exaggerated over;statements have been made. So( it#s simp e. Figures of speech is $Hyperbo e#.

Pun

Define Pun:
A 3un consists in the use of a word in such a way that it is capab e of more than one app ication( the ob,ect being to produce a udicrous effect. )xamp es of 3un0 a* Rest in the bottom ay. )xp anation0 The above examp e is capab e of giving two meanings. So( figures of speech is 3un. <ead it carefu y and understand both the meanings. b* "s ife worth iving? "t depends on the liver. c* An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for good of his country. )xp anation0 "n above examp e( figure of speech is 3un. Word $ ie# has two meaning. /ne is $opposite of truth# and other is $ iving#. Ta&e the meaning for yourse f. That#s the c ear ine for an ambassador.

Irony

Define Irony:
"n "rony( rea meaning is exact y the opposite of that which is said. We often use this figures of speech in sarcastic manner. We many times ma&e fun of our co eagues with he p of this speech. a* Such an inte igent man that you can#t so ve math. b* Such a good goa &eeper that he cannot stop a sing e goa . )xp anation0 The rea meaning of above sentences is ,ust the opposite and hence figures of speech is "rony.

&lima

Define "limax:
"n this figures of speech( ideas are arranged in the increasing order of importance. )xamp es of 6 imax0 a* " ost my pen( boo& and my who e bag. b* He came( he saw and he conquered.

Anticlima

Define Anti"limax:
"n this figures of speech( ideas are arranged in decreasing order of importance. Trend of decreasing importance is observed. Anti;6 imax examp es0 a* " ost my wife, house and job. b* Flower, Snail, Shell and bits of g ass.

Euphemism

Define Euphemism:
When a harsh thing is expressed in a mi d way then the figure of speech is )uphemism. )uphemism examp es0 a* He is no more. 84ead* b* He has gone to heavens. 84ead* c* He has gone to attend nature#s ca . 8+one to toi et*

'nomatopoeia

Define #nomatopoeia:
When the sound of the sy ab es brings out the meaning c ear y or when the words are se f;exp anatory then it is ca ed /nomatopoeia. )xamp es0 a* " heard him tap the door. )xp anation0 Sound of tapping is echoed. b* There was a sharp scratch. )xp anation0 Sound of scratch is se f;exp anatory.

!ransferred Epithet

pithet ! "djective Therefore( Transferred )pithet = Transferred Ad,ective

Transferred Epithet Definition:

"n a sentence( when an ad,ective is transferred from its proper word to another that is c ose y associated with it in the sentence then the figure of speech used is ca ed $Transferred )pithet#.

)xamp e0 a* He passed sleepless nights. b* A man is going on a lone highway. )xp anation0 "n first examp e( ad,ective $s eep ess# actua y be ongs to the sub,ect of sentence $H)#. "t has been transferred to $nights#. Ad,ective $ one# is for $2an# but it has been transferred to $highway#. Hence( in both cases( figures of speech is Transferred )pithet.

Interrogation or (hetorical )uestion

Interrogation Definition:
When a mere question is as&ed not for an answer but to put a point more effective y then figure of speech is ca ed"nterrogation. "nterrogation examp es0 a* Am " your servant? b* "s this your attitude? c* Who are you to question?

(epetition

Define $epetition:
"n repetition( same words are repeated for ma&ing a p easing poetic effect. a* #oad on load. b* $ow5 $ow5 " won. c* The bird is chasing another bird. )xp anation of examp es0 "n a above sentence( words have been repeated.

' ymoron

Define #xymoron:
/xymoron is a specia form of antithesis where two contradictory qua ities are predicted at once. )xamp es of /xymoron0 a* His honor rooted dishonor stood. b* He was the wisest fool. c* 2onument is terrific beauty. d* " clearly %isunderstood that word. )xp anation of /xymoron0 Figures of speech in sentences above is /xymoron.

Parado

Paradox Definition:
"n this figure of speech( absurd things are expressed but they are true. "n paradox( se f;contradictory ideas are expressed but they are true. )xamp es of 3aradox0 a* 3hi osophers are foo s. b* -et him be rich and weary. c* "ndia is the richest country in the wor d but it is inhabited by the poorest persons. )xp anation0 Figure of speech is paradox as contradictory ideas are expressed in sentences above but they are true as we .

*itotes

%itotes Definition:
"n this figure of speech( a negative statement is used to emphasi>e a strong affirmative 8positive* fee ing. a* The boy is no fool. 8the boy is c ever* b* " am not a little surprised. 8" am great y surprised? "n above sentences( figure of speech is -itotes.