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Figure of Speech
Figure of Speech
Figures of speech are departures from the direct way of speaking or writing,
intended to explain, emphasize, elucidate or embellish what is being said.
They are chiefly used in poetry for the sake of vividness. They are also used
in prose especially in public speeches to give added effect or beauty to what is
said.
The figures of speech may be divided into five sections:
I. Figures based on Similarity or Likeness. They are:
(1) Simile
(3) Personification
(2) Metaphor
(4) Apostrophe
(2) Epigram
(4) Irony
(6) Litotes
(2) Synecdoche
(2) Exclamation
(4) Anticlimax
(6) Transferred Epithet
(2) Alliteration
1. BASED ON SIMILARITIES
(1) Simile. Simile is a figure in which a comparison is made between
objects of different kinds, which are alike at least in one point.
In this figure words like, as or like are always used.
Suresh is as strong as a lion.
Helen was like a lovely rose.
Note: Comparison between two objects of the same kind is not a simile
but a simple comparison.
e.g., Smith is as clever as Henry.
Other Examples:
(i) The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold.
(ii) He looks as cheerful as a rose.
(iii) He roared like a lion.
(iv) It stirred the heart as a trumpet.
(v) Curses are like chickens: they come home to roost.
(vi) He walked about as proud as a peacock.
(vii) His eyes were as keen as an eagles.
(viii) Thy smile is as the dawn of vernal day.
(ix) That story is as old as the hills.
(2) Metaphor. Metaphor is a figure of speech in which there is comparison
of one thing with another without the words like or as. The resemblance is
implied.
e.g., (1) Ministers are the pillars of the state.
(2) The fairest rose in all Greece was Helen of Troy.
e.g. She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the surgeons knife.
Other Examples:
(i )
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Other Examples:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
e.g.,
Other Examples:
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Other Examples:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
Other Examples:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
V. Based on sound
(1) A Pun. A Pun is a play upon words.
e.g., (i) Not on thy sole, on thy soul, harsh Jew.
(ii) Nell of Troy was the death Knell of Troy.
Other Examples:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Can a leopard change its spots? Yes, when it goes from one spot
to another.
A boy who eats dates makes good use of his time.
He kept his spirits up by pouring spirits down.
It shall be called Bottoms dream, because it hath no bottom.
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