Notes For FIGURE OF SPEECH ENG GR.

1 SIMILE :  In a simile the writer compares two things by giving them a similar quality. ‘as’ and ‘like’ are used to make comparison.

2  METAPHOR : A metaphor is an implied simile. Instead of comparing the two things, the writer actually says that the 1^st is the 2^nd became of some similarity between the two. i.e. the home is a palace.

3 PERSONIFICATION : In human being or an object is given a human quality.

4 ONOMATOPOEIA : Sound of a word suggest its meaning. 

Eg. My stomach is rumbling.

5  ALLITERATION : The word beginning with the some sound next to each other as close to each other to generate a particular effect. 

Eg. The big brown for.

6  HYPERBOLE :In this writer draws attention to a particular idea by saying something which can not actually be true or possible. To impress or amuse the leader.

Eg. I will kill you.

7  REPETATION : In this a word or an expression is repeated for effect rather than for meaning in order to memorise a point or build up interest or tension or simply to make the sentence sound more poetic or attractive.

 Eg. ‘Alas, Alas’ My dog died.

8  EUPHEMISM : Consist in a description of a disagreeable thing by an agreeable name.

Eg. He has fallen asleep. (died)      You are telling me a fairy tale. (lie)

9  ANTITHESIS : In this a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiment is made in the same sentence. 

Eg : Man proposes. God disposes, to forgive divine.

10  APOSTROPHE : Is a direct address to the dead, to the absent or an inanimate object.

Eg. Oh, solitude ! where are the charms. Roll on , thou deep and dark blue ocean rule.

11  OXYMORON : Oxymoron is a special form of antithesis, whereby two contradictory qualities are predicated at once of the same thing.

 Eg. So innocent arch, so cunningly simple.

12  EPIGRAM : An epigram is a brief pointed saying frequently introducing antithetical ideas which excite surprise and arrest attention.

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

14  PUN : A pun consists in the use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more than one application, the object being to produce a ludicrous effect.

15  METONYMY : In this [ literally a change of name] an object is designated by the name of something which is generally associated with it.

 Eg. The bench, for the judges.

16  SYNECDOCHE : In this a part is used to designate the whole or the whole to designate a part.

17  TRANSFERRED EPITHET : In this figure a epithet is transferred from its proper word to another that is closely associated with it in the sentence.

18  LITOTES : In this an affirmative is conveyed by negation of the opposite, the effect being to suggest a strong expression by means of a weaker. It’s the opposite of hyperbole.

19 INTERROGATION :  It is the asking of a question not for the sake of getting an answer, but to put a point more effectively.

20  EXCLAMATION : In this figure the exclamatory form is used to draw greater attention to a point than a mere bold statement of it could do.

21  CLIMAX : (Gk.Klimax = a ladder) is the arrangement of a series of ideas in the order of increasing importance.

 22  ANTICLIMAX : It is the opposite of climax – a sudden descent form higher to lower. It is chiefly used for the purpose of satire or ridicule.