FIGURE OF

SPEECH
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole
Synecdoche
Alliteration
 Figure of Speech
A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special
effect by using words in a distinctive way.

Artistic or figurative expression used to make a writer how a

phrase or a word can be more beautiful, colorful and
interesting in the mind of the reader or listener.
 Onomatopoeia
(aa·nuh·maa·tuh·pee·uh)
Using words that imitate the actual sound of the object or action it
describes.

The word onomatopoeia comes from the combination of two

Greek words, onoma meaning "name" and poiein meaning "to
make," so onomatopoeia literally means "to make a name (or
sound).“
 Common Examples of Onomatopoeia
• The buzzing bee flew away.
• The sack fell into the river with a splash.
• The books fell on the table with a loud thump.
• He looked at the roaring.
• The rustling leaves kept me awake.
Animal Sound
• Meow-Cat
• Moo- Cow
• Neigh-Horse
• Tweet-Bird
• Oink-Pig
• Baa-Sheep
 Groups of Onomatopoeic Words

A group of words reflecting different sounds of

water are: plop, splash, gush, sprinkle, drizzle,
and drip.
 Groups of Onomatopoeic Words

Words like growl, giggle, grunt, murmur, blurt,

and chatter denote different kinds of human 
voice sounds.

We can identify a group of words related to

different sounds of wind, such as swish, swoosh,
whiff, whoosh, whizz, and whisper.
Onomatopoeia in Poetry and Literature

Horsey, Horsey Nursery Rhyme

You can hear the clippetty clop of the horses in this

nursery rhyme.

"Horsey horsey don't you stop

Just let your feet go clippetty clop
The tail goes swish and the wheels go round
Giddy up, we're homeward bound."
 Hyperbole 
(high-purr-bo-lee)

A figure of speech in which an author or speaker purposely

and obviously exaggerates to an extreme. It is used for
emphasis or as a way of making a description more creative
and humorous. It is important to note that hyperbole is not
meant to be taken literally; the audience knows it’s an
exaggeration.
 Common Examples of Hyperbole in Everyday Speech
Hyperbole in Everyday Use
In these common, everyday examples of hyperbole, you’ll see the sentiment
isn’t realistic, but it helps to stress the point.

• I've told you to clean your room a million times!

• I’m dying of thirst.

• If I can’t buy that perfect prom dress, I’ll die!

 Examples of Hyperbole in Advertising
Many advertising campaigns and slogans feature hyperbole as a way to attract
customers to their products. Here are some examples of hyperbole in well-known
advertisements:

• When you’re here, you’re family. (Olive Garden)

• Breakfast of champions (Wheaties)
• The king of beers (Budweiser)
• The best a man can get (Gillette)
• When there is no tomorrow (FedEx)
• Nothing runs like a Deere. (John Deere)
• Taste the rainbow (Skittles)
• Red Bull gives you wings (Red Bull)
 Examples of Hyperbole in Literature
We often use hyperbole in everyday speech, but we also use it in prose 
and poetry. For example, in love poetry, the speaker may use hyperbole
to emphasize their intense passion and admiration for the beloved.

American poet W.H. Auden writes in “As I Walked Out One

Evening,”

I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you

Till China and Africa meet,

And the river jumps over the mountain

And the salmon sing in the street.

 Synecdoche
(sih·nek.duh.kee)

Synecdoche a figure of speech which allows a part to

stand for a whole or for a whole to stand for a part.
 Example:
A part of something can be used to refer to the whole of something,
such as ‘wheels’ being used to refer to a car .

‘Nice wheels!’
Or

The whole of something can be used to refer to a part of something,

such as ‘The Palace’ being used to refer to a spokesperson who works
for the Queen –

‘The Palace has denied the allegations.’

There are two key types of synecdoche: Microcosm and Macrocosm.

Microcosm is the phrase for synecdoche in which a smaller part signifies a larger
whole.

Example:
A boy has been admitted to the hospital. The nurse says, “He’s in good
hands.”

The boy is not literally being taken care of by two hands. Rather, he is being
taken care of by an entire hospital system, including nurses, assistants,
doctors, and many others. This is an example of microcosmic synecdoche, as
a part signifies a whole.
Macrocosm, on the other hand, is the phrase for synecdoche in
which a larger whole signifies a smaller collection of parts.

Example:
The Department of Education announced new plans for the education
reform.

In this example, the Department of Education as a whole cannot literally

make such an announcement. Rather, an individual or set of individuals
puts together the announcement. This is an example of macrocosmic
synecdoche, as a whole speaks for a part.
 Common Examples of Synecdoche
Here are some examples of synecdoche that may be found in everyday
expression:
• The White House (signifies the U.S. president or executive branch)
• Wearing heels (signifies high-heeled shoes)
• Green thumb (signifies person who is good at gardening)
• The Pentagon (signifies U.S. military leaders)
• England (signifies Great Britain)
• Boots on the ground (signifies soldiers)
• Paper or plastic (signifies type of shopping bag)
• Stars and stripes (signifies U.S. flag)
• Suits (signifies people in business)
• Wheels (signifies a vehicle)
• Pearly gates (signifies Heaven)
• Behind bars (signifies being in jail)
• Threads (signifies clothing)
• Tickle the ivories (signifies playing piano keys)
• Twinkle toes (signifies a dancer)
 Examples of Synecdoche as Character Names
Fictional characters often feature synecdoche in their names to indicate an aspect or part
of them that signifies their nature as a whole. These names can be meant in a genuine or
ironic way. Here are some examples:

• The Brain (Alan from children’s television series “Arthur”)

• Fang (Hagrid’s dog from “Harry Potter” series)
• Red (Ellis Boyd Redding from “The Shawshank Redemption”)
• Hot Lips (Margaret Houlihan from “M*A*S*H”)
• Whiskers (cat from “Toy Story”)
• Spot (dog from “Dick and Jane”)
• Stickers (nickname for Lightning McQueen in “Cars”)
• Blackbeard (pirate)
• Freckles (title character of Gene Stratton-Porter novel)
• Two-Face (villain in DC Comics)
 Famous Examples of Synecdoche
Think you haven’t heard of any famous synecdoche? Here are some
well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech:

• All hands on deck

• Faces in the crowd
• Kansas City scored the winning touchdown
• Lend me your ears
• Keep the change
• Have a nice day
• You have my heart
• Hit the sheets
• I know those voices
• Keep your eyes up here
 Alliteration
(uh-lit-uh-ray-shun)
In alliteration, consonant sounds in two or more neighboring
words or syllables are repeated. The repeated sounds are usually
the first, or initial, sounds—as in "seven sisters"—but repetition
of sounds in non-initial stressed, or accented, syllables is also
common: "appear and report." Alliteration is a common feature
in poetry, but it is also found in songs and raps and speeches and
other kinds of writing, as well as in frequently used phrases, such
as "pretty as a picture" and "dead as a doornail."
 Popular alliteration that repeats the ‘p’
sound:

Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers.

Repeats beginning sounds of neighboring

words.

The she sheep should surely shed in shed.

 Examples of Alliteration in Literature

Samuel Taylor Coleridge uses alliteration in

“Rime of the Ancient Mariner”:

The fair breeze blew, the
white foam flew,
The furrow followed free;
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent sea.

There are several types of alliteration here. The “f” sound used in
fair, foam, flew, furrow, followed, free, and first. The “b,” sound in
breeze and blew. The “w,” in we and were. Lastly, the “s,” in the
silent sea.
 Examples of Alliteration in Pop Culture

Example 1
Example 2
Alliteration is often seen in advertising and
business names for easy memorization and
Similarly, many celebrities and cartoon 
recognition.
characters are given alliterative names:
• American Apparel
• Donald Duck
• American Airlines
• Fred Flinstone
• Best Buy
• Marilyn Monroe
• Coca-Cola
• Mickey Mouse
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Porky Pig
• Krispy Kreme
• Sammy Sosa
I. Multiple Choice
Directions: Read the following question carefully and choose the correct
letter.

1. Using words that imitate the actual sound of the object or action it describes.

a. Figure of Speech
b. Onomatopoeia
c. Hyperbole
d. Alliteration
e. Synecdoche
2. In __________, consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or
syllables are repeated.
a. Figure of Speech
b. Onomatopoeia
c. Hyperbole
d. Alliteration
e. Synecdoche
3. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase with a literal meaning that
refers to a part of something is used figuratively to represent the entirety of that
thing. Alternately, it can also be used in reverse, such as using a word that
actually represents the whole of something to refer to only a part of it.

a. Figure of Speech
b. Onomatopoeia
c. Hyperbole
d. Alliteration
e. Synecdoche
4. A figure of speech in which an author or speaker purposely and obviously
exaggerates to an extreme.

a. Figure of Speech
b. Onomatopoeia
c. Hyperbole
d. Alliteration
e. Synecdoche
5. A rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in a
distinctive way.

a. Figure of Speech
b. Onomatopoeia
c. Hyperbole
d. Alliteration
e. Synecdoche
II. True or False

1.Meow,Splash,Whoosh are example of Onomatopoeia.

2. Microcosm is the phrase for synecdoche in which a smaller part
signifies a larger whole.
3. I Love You to the moon and back is an example of hyperbole.
4. American Apparel, Donald Duck, Coca-Cola are example of
alliteration.
5. Macrocosm is the phrase for synecdoche in which a larger whole
signifies a smaller collection of parts.