figurative language & figures of speech | linguistics, literature & effective communication

Literal means whatever which is being said is meant as per the words being used. In simple words, we go by the dictionary meaning of the words
While Figurative means ‘drawing the mental picture’ of whatever is being said as it will help convey an idea faster and more vividly than literal language.

1.) Simile.
Simile is a figure of speech that uses a comparison between two different things. It is done using the words “like”, “as” or so.
These two things must have one thing in common.
2.) Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech that uses a comparison between two different things. These two things must have one thing in common.
But It is done without using the words “like”, “as” or so.
3.) Personification
Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to objects or ideas.
These qualities may be emotions, desires, sensations, gestures and speech.
4.)Hyperbole.
Hyperbole is a figure of speech, in which we exaggerate or overstate any statement.
It is done for expressing something forcibly and clearly.
5.)Apostrophe.
An apostrophe is a figure of speech in which some absent or nonexistent person or thing is addressed as
if present and capable of understanding.
It is an exclamatory figure of speech as an exclamation is used in it.
6.) Oxymoron.
An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other.
That is one word says one thing and the other word says the other thing.
7.) onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is defined as a word which imitates the natural sounds of a thing.
That is, it is a word which emits the sound of the that thing.

Repetition and Alliteration
Repetition :
A Repetition is a figure of speech in which a word or a group of words is repeated.
It is used to create rhythm and bring attention to an idea

Let’s understand Word Repetition with an example in which a Word is Repeated.
The President said, “Work, work and Work” are the keys to success.
Here, you can see that word ‘work’ is repeted thrice to bring attention to the importance of ‘Work’ to gain success.

Now, let’s look into Figure of Speech, Alliteration
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which initial sounds of words repeat.
Lets look into examples of Alliteration.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
She sells seashells down by the seashore.

Note that alliteration is dependent on the beginning sound and not the beginning letter.
For example, “cat” is not alliterative with “choice”, but is alliterative with “kick”.
So, In Alliteration initial sounds of words are repeated.

1. Synecdoche
   A Synchedoche is a figure of speech that uses a part to represent a whole thing. Or it uses a whole thing to represent a part.
2. Metonymy
   A Metonymy is a figure of speech where one thing is substituted by another thing that is closely associated with it.
   or in other words, one object is being replaced by another object which is closely linked to it.
3. Climax
   A Climax is a Figure of speech in which a series of words, phrases, or ideas are arranged in ascending order of its importance.
   And In the case of a situation, all events are in sequential order.
4. AntiClimax
   An Anti-Climax is a Figure of speech in which a series of words, phrases, or ideas are arranged in descending order of its importance.
   And In the case of a situation, all events are in reverse order of their occurrence.
5. Antithesis
   An Antithesis is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.
   It is done to put emphasis.
6. Epigram
   An Epigram is a figure of speech in which a short witty sentence is used to express a general truth or comment.
   It is a brief, clever, and memorable statement.
7. Pun.
   A Pun is a figure of speech where we play with words that have more than one meaning.
   It is used to create a humorous effect.

figures of speech training | ESL& ELT activities

ESL & ELT Activities: Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole 

Alliteration: Alliteration is a term to describe a literary device in which a series of words begin with the same consonant sound.

Metaphor: A metaphor is a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar.

Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things. The simile is usually in a phrase that begins with the words “as” or “like.”

Personification: Personification, a common literary tool, is a type of metaphor that comes when you relate the qualities of a person to something that isn’t human or that isn’t even alive, such as nature or non-living things.

Imagery: Imagery is language used by poets, novelists, and other writers to create images in the mind of the reader. Imagery includes figurative and metaphorical language to improve the reader’s experience through their senses.

0:00 Types of figure of speech
0:25 Simile
0:51 Metaphor
1:08 Personification
1:38 Apostrophe
1:52 Hyperbole
2:09 Antithesis
2:25 Onomatopoeia
2:43 Alliteration
2:58 Repetition
3:16 Tautology
3:36 Inversion
3:49 Test

figures of speech | theory, differences & practice

*revise the differences & the test at the end of each video:

1) Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Apostrophe, Onomatopoeia

2) Synecdoche, Metonymy, Alliteration, Anaphora, Assonance

3) Hyperbole, Understatement, Paradox, Oxymoron

figures of speech cartoons to create figurative language: onomatopoeia, similes, alliteration, personification & hyperbole | ESL & ELT activities

Create your own figures of speech using these cartoons.

Write at least 5 examples per poster.

Figures of Speech | charts, definitions & examples

Figures of speech – Simile and Metaphor

A figure of speech is a departure from the ordinary form of expression. It is employed to produce a greater effect.

There are four different kinds of figures of speech.

1. Those based on resemblance Examples are: simile, metaphor, personification and apostrophe

2. Those based on contrast Examples are: antithesis and epigram

3. Those based on association Examples are: metonymy and synecdoche

4. Those depending on the construction of the plot Examples are: climax and anticlimax

Simile

In a simile we make a comparison between two objects of different kinds. These two objects will have at least one point in common.

The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree. (Here a comparison is made between the righteous and the palm tree.)

Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale.

O my Love’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Love’s like a melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.

Here are some similes common in everyday speech.

• as proud as a peacock
• as cool as a cucumber
• as hard as nails
• as good as gold
• as old as the hills
• as clear as crystal

Note A comparison of two things of the same kind is not a simile.

Metaphor

A metaphor is an implied simile. It doesn’t state that one thing is like another or acts as another. Instead it says that the two things are one and the same. A simile, on the other hand, says that one thing is like another.

Thus, when we say, ‘She is like an angel’ we use a simile, but when we say ‘She is an angel’, we use a metaphor.

Examples are:

• Life is a dream. (Metaphor)
• Life is like a dream. (Simile)
• The camel is the ship of the desert. (Metaphor)

We have seen that a metaphor is an implied simile. Every simile can be compressed into a metaphor and every metaphor can be expanded into a simile.

Compare:

Life is like a dream. (Simile)
Life is a dream. (Metaphor)

Personification

In personification inanimate objects and abstract ideas are spoken of as if they have life and intelligence.

Example

Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay’
But cometh back on foot, and begs its way.

Apostrophe

An apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, the absent or a personified object or idea. It is a special form of personification.

Milton! thou should’st be living at this hour.

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean – roll!

O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?

O Solitude! where are the charms

That sages have seen in thy face?

Hyperbole

In hyperbole a statement is made emphatic by overstatement.

Here’s the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.

O Hamlet! thou has cleft my heart in twain.

I Loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers
Could not with all their quantity of love
Make up the sum.

Euphemism

In Euphemism, a disagreeable thing is described by an agreeable name.

For example, we often say ‘He has fallen asleep’ or ‘He has passed away’ instead of ‘He has died.’

Other examples are given below:

Old Sam is pushing up the daisies. (= Old Sam is dead.)

He is a little careless of the truth. (= He is a liar.)

She has become hard of hearing lately. (= She has become deaf.)

Antithesis

In antithesis, a striking contrast of words or sentiments is expressed in the same sentence. It is employed to secure emphasis.

Examples are given below:

• Man proposes, God disposes.
• Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a special form of antithesis. Here two contradictory qualities of the same thing are predicted at once.

• So innocent arch, so cunningly simple.
• She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the surgeon’s knife.

Epigram

An epigram is a brief pointed saying. It is used to introduce ideas which invoke surprise.

• The child is the father of the man.
• Fools rush in angels fear to tread.

Here lies our Sovereign Lord the King
Whose word no man relies on,
Who never said a foolish thing
And never did a wise one.

• Art lies in concealing art.

Irony

Irony is a mode of speech in which the real meaning is exactly the opposite of that which is literally conveyed.

Here under leave of Brutus and the rest
(For Brutus is an honorable man:
So are they all, all honorable men)
Come I speak in Caesar’s funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me;
But Brutus says he was ambitious’
And Brutus is an honorable man.

Pun

A pun is employed to produce a ludicrous effect. It consists in the use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more than one application.

• An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for the good of his country.
• Is life worth living? – It depends upon the liver?

Pathetic Fallacy

The term “pathetic fallacy” was coined by a British writer named John Ruskin, who defined it as “emotional falseness.” Ruskin originally used the term to criticize what he saw as the sentimental attitude of 18th century Romantic poets toward nature.

Pathetic fallacy is giving human feelings to something non-human. Be careful: don’t mix up pathetic fallacy with personification. Pathetic fallacy is always about giving emotions to something something non-human. Personification is giving any human attribute to an object.

what is a figure of speech ?

figure of speech / figures of speech (plural noun) a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect.

 A figure of speech is a deviation from the ordinary use of words in order to increase their effectiveness.

Basically, it is a figurative language that may consist of a single word or phrase. It may be a simile, a metaphor or personification to convey the meaning other than the literal meaning.

Their objective is to generate an impact or special effect on the listener or reader. This effect may be rhetorical as in the deliberate arrangement of words to achieve something poetic, or imagery as in the use of language to suggest a visual picture or make an idea more vivid.

Overall, figures of speech function as literary devices because of their expressive use of language.

25 Mar 2019

3 May 2020

what are figures of speech ? | language acquisition, linguistics, literal & figurative language

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that possesses another meaning from that generated by words, a separate meaning from its literal definition.

There are 2 types of language: literal (what words mean) and figurative (not the strict or real meaning of the words).

Figurative language is language that’s intended to create an image, association, or other effect in the mind of the listener or reader that goes beyond the mere meaning of words.

It can be a metaphor or simile designed to make a comparison. It can be the repetition of alliteration or the exaggeration of hyperbole to provide a dramatic effect.

6 Oct 2016

About this lesson- The following Figures of Speech are covered in Part-1: 1. Simile 2. Metaphor 3. Personification 4. Apostrophe 5. Metonymy 6. Synecdoche 7. Onomatopoeia 8. Alliteration 9. Assonance 10. Pun

13 Oct 2016

Part-2 covers the following Figures of Speech: Antithesis Chiasmus Paradox Irony Rhetorical Question Hyperbole Understatement Litotes Anaphora Epistrophe Climax Anti-climax

A figure of speech is used to make writing more interesting as it expresses something in another way than its literal meaning. Here are the 10 most common figures of speech in English.

Metaphor
A methaphor is a comparison between two different things, which share something in common. For example:

The world is your oyster.

Metonymy
This refers to a phrase that is replaced with another phrase with a similar meaning used to describe something in an indirect manner, such as:

I remain loyal to the crown.

Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a word that resembles the sound it describes, for example:

The clock ticks loudly.

Oxymoron
An oxymoron is when two words in the same sentence contradict one another, such as:

The girl next door is pretty ugly.

Paradox
A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself.

Deep down, Sophia is really shallow.

Simile
A phrase that compares something to something else using the words “like” or “as”.

Her hair was as golden as the sun.

Synecdoche
When only part of something is expressed to relate to the whole, it’s called a synecdoche.

He just got some new wheels.

Understatement
An understatement is a statement that is made to be less important than what is actually conveyed.

I only have four million dollars.

10 Mar 2021

The difference between a dumb owl and a wise owl is that the former says “to who, to who” and latter says “to whom, to whom!”