Compendium of Figures of Speech

A project presented to
To the Faculty of Alabel National Science High School
Regional Science High School for Rregion XII
Maribulan, Alabel Sarangani Province

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A Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For English IV

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Submitted by:
STEPHANIE S. BIYO
Grade 10 – SAPPHIRE

Submitted to:
MS. CHRISTINE GAY N. TOLENTINO
English Adviser

March 04, 2019

 Contents

I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………

II. Figures of Speech

a) Figures of Speech Poster ………………………………………………………….

b) Figures of Speech in Advertisement/ Print Ads ……………………………….

c) Figures of Speech in a Song/ Status Post/ News/ Announcement ………..

d) Your self-written Poetry ……………………………………………………………

III. Reflection …………………………………………………………………………

IV. References………………………………………………………………………..
 I. INTRODUCTION

There are two ways on how to use language. It’s either literally or figuratively.

Literal language is direct and uses the real definition and meanings of words and

phrases while on the other hand, figurative language often provides a more effective

means of saying what we mean than direct statement. Figurative language is used in

any form of communication, such as in daily conversation, articles in newspaper,

advertisements, novels, poems, etc. It is because figurative language has the essence

of style and beauty. In the specific sense, figurative language may take the form of

figures of speech.

A figure of speech is a deliberate divergence from literal language to a figurative

language (Britannica, 2013). Moreover, Arp and Johnson (2012) said, “A figure of

speech is any way of saying something other than the ordinary way” (p. 73). According

to Elder (2004), “Authors use figures of speech to paint vivid pictures in the reader’s

mind or to achieve some other specific effect (such as emphasis or humor)” (p. 292).

This is because there are many different types of figures of speech that we used in our

daily lives without realizing that we can already have the ability to produce a phrase or

even statement regarding on the situations we are up to.

Since there are a lot of things that every individual want to learn everyday even a

mere thing based on how the human brain can create different things making it through

a collection, compilation, or sets, making compendiums of figures of speech will impart

a great help to anyone of us.

 II. Figures of Speech

A figure of speech expresses an idea, thought, or image with words which carry

meanings beyond their literal ones. Figures of speech give extra dimension to language

by stimulating the imagination and evoking visual, sensual imagery; such language

paints a mental picture in words.

a) Figures of Speech Poster

Figures of Comparison

1) Simile

Definition: The likening of one thing to another (usually translated using the English
words “like” or “as”. Examples:
 “When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you’re
like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.” (Prov. 1:27)
 His head and hair were white like wool, as white a snow, and his eyes were like
burning fire. (Rev. 1:14)
2) Metaphor

Definition: An implied comparison between two objects without the use of “like” or “as”.
Examples:
 she is a jewel; the sun is a wizard, and the moon is a witch; the sun was a golden
dollar; the Lord is my shepherd; the web of our life is mingled yarn, good and ill
together.
 “And merry larks are ploughman’s clocks.” (Shakespeare)

Figures of Overstatement

3) Hyperbole

Definition: the use of exaggeration or over statement to make a point. It may be used
for emphasis, for humor, or for poetic intensity. Examples:

 “Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard around the
world.” (Emerson)
 ...it is easier for an camel to go through the eye of needle
4) Hendiadys

Definition: The combination of two or three things to express the same meaning.
Examples:
 The Lord is my light and my salvation -whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,
for they had rebelled against the words of God. (Psalm 107:10)
Figures of Understatement

5) Irony

Definition: an expression in which the author’s meaning is quite different (often the
opposite) from what is literally said. Irony, as a matter of tone, occurs most frequently in
prose as a technique for humor, satire, or contrast. Examples:

 “When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone
to a better world, I am moved to live a different life.” (Mark Twain)
 ...and they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it upon his head. They put
a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of
the Jews” they said. (Matt. 27:29)
6) Litotes or Meiosis

Definition: A phrase that understates or lessens one thing in order to magnify another.

Examples:
 The Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the
Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes. (Gen. 18:27)
 We saw the Nephilim there. We looked like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and
we looked the same to them. (Num. 13:33)
7) Antithesis
Definition: A direct contrast in which two sets if figures are set in opposition to one
another. Examples:
 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,
and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. (Rom. 5:12)
 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Phil.
3:7)

Figures Stressing the Personal Dimension

8) Personification:

Definition: another type of comparison that treats objects or things as if they were
capable of the actions and feelings of people. As in a metaphor, there is an implied
comparison which gives the attributes of a human being to an animal, object, or idea.
Examples:
 “... Sea that bears her bosom to the moon” (Wordsworth)
 the wind was howling; the thunder growled.
9) Apostrophe

Definition: A development of personification in which the writer addresses the object or

concept that he has personified. Example:

 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting.” (1 Cor. 15:55)
Figures of Association or Relationship

10) Metonymy

Definition: The substitution of a noun for another closely associated noun. The
substituted noun derives its meaning in the context it is used by the association
produced in the readers mind. Example:

 My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. (Psalm 7:10).

11) Oxymoron

Definition: Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use

contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up
making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. Examples:
 Sometimes we cherish things of little value.
 He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.

Other types of Figures

12) Allusion

Definition: a reference to some historical or literary event or person that has striking
resemblance to the subject under discussion. Allusion is used often in prose.
Examples:
 “We live under the nuclear sword of Damocles.”
 “He is a Romeo to every girl he meets.”

13) Onomatopoeia

Definition: This figure of speech indicates the sounds that were done by the
surrounding environment and to describe a better imagery to the reader and the writer.
Example:
 “The thunder shrieked as it fell down from the skies”.

14) ANAPHORA

Definition: a literary or oratorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at

the beginning of several sentences or clauses

15) Alliteration
Definition: Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession
and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant
sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar
sounds in the sentence. Example:
 The Wicked Witch of the West went her own way. (The ‘W’ sound is highlighted
and repeated throughout the sentence).
b) Figures of Speech Poster

ONOMATOPOEIA

HYPERBOLE

PERSONIFICATION
 c) Figures of Speech in a Song/ Status Post/ News/

Announcement

SONG

 Hyperbole: “Grenade” by Bruno Mars

- “I’d catch a grenade for you, go in front of a train for you”

 Personification: “Viva la Viva” by Coldplay

− “I’m a puppet on a lonely string”

 Alliteration: “Rockin Robin” by Michael Jsckson

− “Rockin Robin rock rock rockin robin blow rockin robin”

 Simile: “A Year Without Rain” by Selena Gomez

− “A day without you is like a year without rain”

 Oxymoron: “Hello Goodbye” by The Beatles

− “I say hello goodbye”

Status Post

− Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds

- Good Food. Good Life

− Irony: Stating one thing while meaning the exact opposite.(8) When used to

taunt and ridicule irony is called sarcasm.

- Don’t talk with your mouth full. But its perfectly OK to smile
 d) Your self-written poetry

SELF WRITTEN POETRY (ONOMATOPOEIA)

NIGHTMARE

Dragged screaming into nightmare,

lost peaceful sleep and dream.
Heart pounds like crashing thunder,
a gasp and a sigh jolted me back awake this tortured I.

Why must I live this torture,

a body wracked in pain.
Can I sneak back to my slumber,
escape this torment again.

SELF WRITTEN POETRY (ANAPHORA)

THERE YOU ARE

When the storms rage in my head,

When I'm drowning in my dread,
When I'm living like I'm dead,
There you are.

When I have no hand to hold,

When I've lost sight of control,
When I can't be strong or bold,
There you are.
 III. Reflection

Language is truly an art form. There are so many variations and details available

that can convey several different meanings, all of which come together to serve one

main purpose: to communicate. Communication is crucial to the function of our society,

and we use many different methods to express meaning. One of the most common

methods involves figures of speech. Figures of speech are so common; you most likely

use them on a daily basis and don't even notice.

Figures of speech enable us to look at some object, feeling, or event in a new

way or to express feelings we cannot easily put into words. Of course, figures of speech

occur in everyday language—some enter into common parlance and become clichés—

but language belongs to us all and people invent new figures of speech all the time or

find new ways to dress up the clichés. Figures of speech are fun. Figures of speech

make up a huge portion of the English language, making it more creative, more

expressive, and just more interesting! Many have been around for hundreds of years—

some even thousands—and more are added to our language essentially every day.

This compendium will focus on a few key forms of figures of speech, but remember, the

types are nearly endless.

 IV. REFERENCES

1997 Robert I. Bradshaw.pdf

Figuresspeech/handout/3/00GPC/Dunwoody ISS Writing Lab

https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/vocabulary/figures-of-speech/

Masroor, F. & Pourmohammadi, M. (2016). Problems in Translating Figures of Speech:

A Review of Persian Translations of Harry Potter Series. International Journal of English
Language & Translation Studies. 4(4), 131-143. Retrieved from www.eltsjournal.org