Figures of speech are words or phrases that depart from straightforward literal

language. Figures of speech are often used and crafted for emphasis, freshness,
expression, or clarity.

Some types of Figures of Speech

1. Simile
A simile is the comparison of two unlike things using like or as.

Examples:

 She smiles like a flower.

 He follows any order as obedient as a dog.

2. Metaphor
A metaphor is the comparison of two unlike things or expressions, sometimes using the
verb “to be,” and not using like or as (as in a simile).

Examples

 She is my favorite flower in the garden.

 He is a dog.
 Figure 1. Example of metaphor

3. Alliteration

Alliteration is derived from Latin’s “Latira”. It means “letters of alphabet”. It is a stylistic device
in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a
series.The repetition of an initial consonant sound.

Examples:

 Sally sells seashells.

 But a better butter makes a batter better.
 A big bully beats a baby boy.
 Dunkin’ Donuts
 PayPal
 Best Buy
 Coca-Cola

Figure 2. Example of Alliteration

 4. Anaphora

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.
Anaphora is a literary and rhetorical device in which a word or group of words is repeated at the
beginning of two or more successive clauses or sentences. This technique adds emphasis and
unity to the clauses.

Examples:

 I came, I saw, I conquered – Julius Caesar

 With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right Abraham
Lincoln

5. Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases. Antithesis, which literally means
“opposite,” is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to
achieve a contrasting effect.

Examples:

 Many are called, but few are chosen.

 Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing
 It’s better to be late then never; never be late.
6. Assonance

Identity and similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words. Assonance takes
place when two or more words, close to one another repeat the same vowel sound, but start with
different consonant sounds.

Examples:

 The crumbling thunder of seas.

 Go and mow the lawn.
 the engineer held the steering to steer the vehicle.

7. Onomatopoeia
An onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents.

Examples:

 The chiming of the bells…

 The boom of the explosion…
 Figure 3. Example of Onomatopoeia

8. Irony

A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by

negating its opposite. Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their
intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. In simple words, it is a
difference between appearance and reality.

Example:

 “Oh great! Now you have broken my new camera.”

 The doctor is as kind hearted as a wolf.

9. Oxymoron

A figure of peech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side. Oxymoron is
a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common
oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting
meanings, such as “cruel kindness,” or “living death”.

Examples:

 Dark light
 Living dead
 Open secret
 Tragic comedy
 Seriously funny
10. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole, or it may use
a whole to represent a part. Synecdoche may also use larger groups to refer to smaller groups, or
vice versa. It may also call a thing by the name of the material it is made of, or it may refer to a
thing in a container or packaging by the name of that container or packing.

Examples:

 His parents bought him a new set of wheels. (new car)

 He has many mouths to feed. (to look after many)
 The word "bread" can be used to represent food in general or money

Figure 4. Example of Synechdoche

Sources:
https://literarydevices.net

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