Figures Of Speech
1) Alliteration :-
When in a sentence, there is repetition of the beginning sounds of neighbouring words, it is the use of alliteration.
e.g.
a) He hit his head against the wall.
b) He holds his head high.
2) Repetition :-
When in a sentence same words are repeated, it is the use of repetition
e.g.
a) Rain, rain go away.
b) Land of our birth, our faith , our pride.
3) Personification :-
When in a sentence non – living (inanimate) things, animals, birds, plants, flowers or ideas etc. are given the human qualities or they are described as human beings, it is the use of personification.
e.g.
a) The waves are singing a song.
b) Stars danced in the sky
4) Simile :-
When in a sentence a direct comparison is made between two objects of different kinds which have at least one point in common shown using ‘like’ or ‘as’ , it is the use of simile.
e.g.
1) Kashmir is like a heaven of India.
2) Life is just like a dream to us.
5) Metaphor :-
When an indirect comparison is made in between two objects of different kinds which have at least one point in common, it is the use of metaphor. There is no use of words ‘like’ and ‘as’.
e.g.
1) Time is money.
2) Mother Earth.
6) Onomatopoeia :-
When in a sentence a word it self expresses sound, it is the use of onomatopoeia.
e.g.
1) The rustling of leaves.
2) I heard him tap the door
7) Inversion :-
When in a sentence words are not in a correct prose order (S + V + O), it is the use of inversion.
e.g.
1) But don’t you quit.
2) In vain is the world play
8) Hyperbole :-
When in a sentence a statement is made emphatic by over-statement or exaggeration, it is the use of hyperbole.
e.g.
1) She wept a bucket full of tears.
2) Seemed to dance on air.
9) Antithesis :-
When in a sentence the opposite words or ideas are used side by side, it is the use of antithesis.
e.g.
1) He wants to light the dark route.
2) She comes and goes.
10) Climax :-
When in a sentence ideas, thoughts, value, importance, qualities etc. are arranged in ascending order, it is the use of climax.
e.g.
1) She came, she saw, she conquered.
2) They enjoy liquor with dance and drums.
11) Anti-climax -:-
When in a sentence ideas are presented in descending order, it is the use of anti-climax.
e.g.
1) The soldier fights for glory and a shilling a day.
2) He swears before sun, moon and leaves.
12) Paradox :-
When in a sentence self contradictory statements are made,it is the use of paradox.
e.g.
1) The swiftest traveler is he that goes a foot.
2) Her questions found their own answers.
3) The best teacher is who teaches least.
13) Euphemism :-
When in a sentence a harsh thing is expressed in a mild way, it is the use of euphemism.
e.g.
1) He is no more.
2) When I am gone away
14) Synecdoche :-
When in a sentence a part is used to designate the whole or vice versa, it is the use of synecdoche.
e.g.
1) More hands should be employed.
2) Give us our daily bread.
15) Apostrophe :-
When in a sentence a direct address is made to the dead, non-living objects, plants, animals, birds, absent persons, god etc. , it is the use of apostrophe.
e.g.
1) O moon, give me moonlight.
2) O motherland,we pledge to thee.
16) Tautology :-
When in a sentence different words of same meaning are used for the sake of force, it is the use of tautology
e.g.
1) I have seen it with my own eyes.
2) I want to hear fairy tales and stories from him.
17) Irony :-
When in a sentence there is a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between appearance and reality, it is the use of irony.
e.g.
1) The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but sank on its first voyage.
2) Wisdom shall die with you.
3) He is thief but an honest man
18) Pun :-
When in a sentence a word is used with two meanings then there is use of pun
e.g.
1) His knowledge of sound is not sound.
2) An ambassador is an honest man who lies
19) Interrogation :-
When a mere question is asked not for an answer but to put a point more effectively, it is called Interrogation.
e.g.
1) Is this your attitude?
2) Can two and two ever make five?
20) Exclamation :-
When in a sentence there is expression of strong feelings then there is use of exclamation.
e.g.
1) Now all has become history!
2) What a piece of work man is!
21) Metonymy :-
When in a sentence there is association of two objects and one object is described as another, it is the use of metonymy.
e.g.
1) The pen is mightier than the sword.
2) The crown for the king.
22) Oxymoron:-
When in a sentence two words of opposite meanings of same person or thing are placed side by side then there is use of oxymoron.
e.g.
1) It’s a open secret
2) She is Awfully pretty.
3) She was found missing.