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Figures 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. By going through the following examples, you
too can master the art of using them appropriately.
ALLITERATION
Alliteration refers to the repetition of a consonant sound, at least three times in a
sentence. It is often used as a figure of speech in poetry, and even advertisements use
alliteration in their tag lines to make the ads more memorable. Some examples of
alliteration are:
Don't delay dawns disarming display. Dusk demands daylight.
- Paul Mccan
Sara's seven sisters slept soundly in sand.
ANASTROPHE
Anastrophe the inversion of the normal order of speech in a particular sentence. It can
also be said that the language is interrupted and speech takes a sudden turn. This is
used for the purpose of emphasis. Examples of anastrophe are:
Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man.
ANAPHORA
Anaphora refers to a repetition of one particular word purposely, at the start of
consecutive sentences or paragraphs. This is again in order to emphasize a point.
Examples of anaphora are:
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.
ANTITHESIS
Antithesis is defined as an opposition or contradiction between two concepts in a
statement. For example:
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry, The sun so hot, I froze to
death...
- Oh Susanna (Song)
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. This can be explained with the
help of the following examples:
EUPHEMISM
A euphemism is the use of neutral language to remark something that may be offensive
to the receiver. Euphemism is often used by people who are diplomatic, and who wish
to be politically correct. Some examples of this figure of speech are:
HYPERBOLE
A hyperbole is a figure of speech used for the purpose of exaggeration. It mainly forms
the basis of several jokes, is used as a way of insults, or could simply be used to
dramatize 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.
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.
These examples will help you understand idioms:
- This is an idiom that simply means there is no use regretting about unfortunate events
that have passed and cannot be changed.
- 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. It is also a way of expressing the ugly truth in
a slightly gentle manner. Some examples are:
- Situational Irony (He is the owner of the world's largest software company.)
Having a fight with your best friend just before your birthday, and commenting
-"Great, this is just what I needed".
- Verbal Irony (It is probably the worst thing that could happen before your birthday.)
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.
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. Examples include:
METONYMY
Metonymy refers to the use of a phrase regarding an associated concept, in order to
describe the actual concept. Some metonymy examples are:
- This refers to the belief of the editors who write the editorial page.
OXYMORON
An oxymoron uses a contradictory adjective to define an object, situation or event.
Oxymoron examples are:
Loners' club
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. For example:
War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.
The clatter of utensils.
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. Some examples are:
PERSONIFICATION
This refers to the art of bringing to life an inanimate object, trait, or action, by
associating it with a human quality. Examples of personification are:
PUN
Puns refer to the deliberate substitution of similar sounding words to create a humorous
effect. For example:
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.
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'. Some simile examples are:
Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee
Like every girl in history.
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. For instance: