A figure of speech is a deviation from the ordinary use of words in order to increase their effectiveness. It is also known as a rhetorical figure too because it produces a rhetorical effect. It deviates a statement from its real meaning or common usage to create a new required effect. It usually emphasises, embellishes, or clarifies language in both written and oral form. We can see its usage in literature too. We can even see it in advertisements, posters, slogans, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, etc.
Figure of speech can easily catch eyes and highlight the purpose of use. It is designed to make a comparison and create a dramatic factor while writing or speaking. 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. It is usually classified as different schemes. The ordinary sequence or pattern of words is known as a scheme. We usually perform basic four operations as below to create the required effect:
The addition is also known as repetition, expansion, or superabundance.
An omission is also known as subtraction, abridgement or lack.
Transposition is also known as transferring.
Permutation is also known as switching, interchange, substitution, or transmutation.
We can see many varieties in figures of speech because its prime aim is to use language to create the desired effect. For example, the usage of expressions like the mouth of a river, round and round, the eye of a needle, nasty place, a stream of abuse, money talks, butterflies in the stomach, painful pride, etc. We can see it in literature, poems, movies, speeches, etc. Therefore, in this article, the importance of figure of speech along with its various types with examples will be discussed.
Importance of Figure of Speech
It enhances the beauty of the writing. It makes the sentence deeper and leaves the reader with a sense of wonder. It brings life to the words used by the writer. The figure of Speech not only shows the writer's intent but also his purpose in using such language.
It adds flavour to the writing and makes it so much more enjoyable for the reader.
There are five major categories of figures of speech as below:
Figures of resemblance: It is also known as the figure of relationship. It is made up of simile, metaphor, or kenning.
Figures of emphasis: It is also known as a figure of an understatement. It is made up of hyperbole.
Figures of sound: It uses alliteration.
Verbal games: It is also known as gymnastics. It includes puns.
Errors: It is created of malapropism and usually generated because of blunder.
Types of Figure Of Speech
Simile - In a simile, two things which are completely unlocked are compared with each other. A simile is introduced by words such as like, so, as etc.
Examples -
The flower is as pretty as a picture.
He is as sober as a judge.
The floor was as slippery as an eel.
They looked like peas in a pod.
He eats like a pig.
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’ ‘as’ are avoided. For example, He is like a Giant - Simile and He is a Giant - Metaphor.
Examples -
You are the apple of my eye.
Ocean’s sound is music to my ear.
Heart of gold.
He is a night owl.
Time is money.
Personification - In Personification, non-living things, abstract ideas or qualities are mentioned as humans or living things.
Example -
Angry clouds surrounded the island.
Earth was thirsty for water.
The flowers talked to them in the garden.
The wind howled that night.
The snowflakes danced at night.
Apostrophe - In this figure of speech, the writer mentions the absent or inanimate objects as alive and writes about them.
Example -
“O, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are”
“Walter, remember when the world was young and all the girls knew Walter's name? Walter, isn't it a shame the way our little world has changed.”
Oxymoron - An Oxymoron is when two words are used together in a sentence but they seem to be in contrast with each other. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that willingly uses two differing ideas. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that creates a new concept or meaning for the whole.
Example -
Life is bittersweet.
They knew they could feel the joyful sadness on his arrival.
Sweet sorrow.
Peace force.
Free market.
Jumbo ant.
Hyperbole - Hyperbole is when you use words to exaggerate what you mean or emphasize a point. It is used to make something seem bigger or more important than it actually is.
Example -
It has been ages since I have had a proper meal.
Usain Bolt runs faster than the wind.
I could do this forever.
She’s older than this world.
Everybody knows me.
Pun - A pun is generally used in plays where one word has two different meanings. It is used to create humour. Humorous use of words of different meanings or the words of the same sound but different meanings is known as Pun.
Example -
A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.
Where do you find giant snails? On the ends of the giants' fingers.
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.
For Example -
Dirty dolphins dove across the ocean.
Purple pandas painted portraits.
She sells seashells.
Nick needed new notebooks.
Fred fried frogs’ legs on Friday.
Onomatopoeia - It is the figure of speech where the word is used to describe a sound. When we explain any action by putting the sounds into language, it is known as onomatopoeia. It is generally used in fiction or in nursery rhymes, for eg- Old Macdonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O. Words like whoosh, splat, buzz, oink, click, etc., are used to create this effect.
Example -
I could hear the leaves rustling and the wind howling.
Bam! He hit the truck at the speed of 80 kmph.
Anaphora - When many phrases or verses start with the same word, it is known as anaphora.
Example -
I came, I saw, I conquered.
We shall not stop. We shall go on and on. We shall move forward.
Assonance- When we use repetition of vowel sounds, it is known as assonance.
Example -
Thee
Euphemism - It is known as a euphemism when we replace blunt, offensive, or harsh terms with soft, mild, vague, or indirect terms.
Example -
Using letting you go instead of firing
Using a little thin on top instead of getting bald
Using passed away instead of killed or died
Using stick to the truth instead of calling someone a liar
Irony - If you use terms that contrast with what you say and what you do, it is known as irony. It’s like a difference between what is said and what is meant.
Example -
A traffic cop got a ticket for parking in a no-parking zone.
The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but got sunk on its first trip.
When the viewer knows who the killer is in the movie, but the actor doesn’t know that.
Synecdoche - If a part is represented by a whole or a whole is represented by a part, it is known as synecdoche.
Example -
Colgate – any toothpaste
Wheels – a car
Employed people – workers
The traffic – many vehicles
Understatement - When you try to say or show something of no importance or less importance.
Example -
Referring a big wound to just a scratch
Saying it little dry instead of desert
Referring big destruction to just an accident
FAQs on Figure of Speech
1. Does the figure of speech make writing interesting?
Yes. Figure of speech adds expression, emphasises the writing and adds clarity to it. Well-researched and detailed content on the figures of speech can be found on the website of Vedantu. It can be downloaded for free in PDF format from both the website and the mobile application of Vedantu.
2. Name five most used figures of speech.
Some of the most common figure of speech are:
Metaphor
Simile
Personification
Pun
Hyperbole
You can access good articles on this topic from the website of Vedantu and its mobile application.