FIGURES OF SPEECH

Figures of Speech- A figure of speech is a departure from the ordinary form of expression or the
ordinary course of ideas in order to produce a greater effect. There are several figures of speech. Some
of them are mentioned below:
A) Simile – A simile is a figure of speech that makes comparison showing similarities between
two different things. Unlike Metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of words
like “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.
Eg. 1. I wandered lonely as a cloud.
2.Her cheeks are red like a rose

B) Metaphor - When you compare two unlike or different things or ideas, it is known as a
metaphor. It is an informal or implied simile in which the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ are avoided.
Eg. 1. The assignment was a breeze. (This means that the assignment was easy)
2. Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him happy)

C) Personification – Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is

given human attributes. The non –human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they
have the ability to act like human beings.
Eg. 1. Laughter holding both her sides
2. The sky is weeping and the leaves are dancing.

D) Oxymoron - An Oxymoron is when two words are used together in a sentence but they seem
to be in contrast with each other.
Eg. 1. Hating love
2. Original copies

E) Alliteration - It is a series of words, which commence with the same letter. Alliteration
consists of the repetition of a sound or of a letter at the beginning of two or more words.
Eg: She sings songs which her friend doesn’t like.
Kim’s kids kept kiting.

F) Onomatopoeia - It is the figure of speech that is used to describe a sound or creation of words
that imitate natural sound.
Eg. 1. The bees were buzzing
2. Tring
3. Bang

G) Hyperbole- A figure of speech that is an extreme exaggeration.

Eg. 1. The bag weighed a ton
2. She is older than hills.

H) Idiom- An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally, like “bought the farm” has nothing
to do with purchasing real estate, but refers to dying.
Eg:-1.Out of the blue means something happened that was unexpected
2. To have long teeth means you are ambitious

I) Pun-A pun is a humorous use of a word to suggest another word that sounds the same.

Eg. 1. A horse is a very stable animal.

2. An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight.

J) Rhyme – A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems
or songs.
Eg. 1. I had a cat who wore a hat
And she was talking to a rat
2. The sky was clear, rich shiny blue,
I knew it was true.

K) Irony – It is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning
is different from their actual meaning of words. In simple words , it is a difference between the
appearance and the reality.
Eg. 1. “Water, water , everywhere, nor any drop to drink”.
2. The butter is as soft as a marble piece.

1 Read the sentences given below and write the figure of speech used:
1) The flower is as pretty as a picture.
2) Sweet sorrow.
3) She sells seashells.
4) Earth was thirsty for water.

2 Read the sentences given below and write the figure of speech used:
1) Bam! He hit the truck at the speed of 80 kmph.
2) Fred fried frogs’ legs on Friday.
3) joyful sadness
4) The snowflakes danced at night.
5) He is a night owl.

3. Choose the correct option.

 1. The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree.
a. Simile
b. metaphor
c. personification

2. Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale.

a. Simile

b. Metaphor

c. Hyperbole

3. The camel is the ship of the desert.

a. Simile

b. Metaphor

c. Oxymoron

4. Variety is the spice of life.

a. Simile

b. Personification

c. Metaphor
5. Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay.
a. Oxymoron

b. Apostrophe

c. Personification

6. O Solitude! Where are the charms that sages have seen in thy face?
a. Personification

b. Hyperbole

c. Apostrophe
7. Death lays his icy hands on kings.
a. Metaphor

b. Apostrophe

c. Personification
8. Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears.
a. Apostrophe

b. Metaphor

c. Hyperbole
9. O Hamlet! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
a. Metaphor

b. Oxymoron

c. Hyperbole
10. Here is the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand.
a. Metaphor
b. Oxymoron

c. Hyperbole