The common types of figures of speech are as follows:

Simile- The comparison is made between two things.

eg: She is like a rose.
Metaphor- It is like a simile but the comparison is direct.
eg:- She is a rose
Onomatopoeia: The sounds of things are expressed through words.
eg: The clicking of her high heels.
Alliteration- The first consonant sounds of words are repeated.
eg: The long and languid ordeal.
Repetition- The words are repeated for a poetic effect.
eg: On and on the rain will fall.                
Hyperbole- Exaggeration of ideas
Eg- She cried for thousand nights.
He was the happiest man in the world.
Antithesis- Opposing ideas are brought together.
To err is human; to forgive is divine.
Man proposes; God disposes.
Personification: Giving human qualities to non-living things.
Eg. The rain danced.
The flowers smiled.
Euphemeism: Using a milder term for a harsh word/idea.
Eg: He is mentally unsound. (Milder term for mad)
Her grandmother is with God. (Milder term for dead)

Figures of speech are the most common type of questions which are asked in CBSE or for that
matter any board examination. Since, poetry has so many things to learn about, it’s not at all
easy to mug up all the instances where we are asked these in the poems.
To make life simpler, I bring to you this small guide with the most commonly used figures of
speech. I assure you that 99% of what you see below is the only thing you need to know to
answer these 1 markers!

Here is a list of what all you need to know about:

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Personification
4. Apostrophe
5. Oxymoron
6. Irony
So let’s begin by explaining each one of them.

1. Simile
Simile is nothing but comparison between two very different objects. Though, you’ll need to have
at least one point in common between them.

Eg:

…  her face ashen like that of a corpse

2. Metaphor
It is almost similar to a simile but here we take it for granted that both the objects are same. In
short, we can call it an implied simile.

eg: Life is a dream

Let’s take up an example to clear the difference between a metaphor and a simile.

Sachin played  like  a warrior (simile)

Sachin was a warrior in the game (Metaphor)

3. Personification

Here a motionless object (like a table) is spoken as if it has life.

Eg:

…..trees sprinting

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled…..

4. Apostrophe
Hey you little teddy bear, does she love me? Don’t take my wrong, this is what Apostrophe
actually is. It’s when an author or poet directs a speech towards an abstract object or an
imaginary person.

Eg:Well hello jet plane!

5. Oxymoron
In this figure of speech, two contradictory terms are combined together. It’s derived from a Greek
word which literally means “Sharp dull”.

Eg:

Greedy good-doers, beneficient beasts of prey

6. Irony
This one is the most commonly used of all in our day-to-day conversations. Irony is a form where
the literal meaning is completely opposite to what is conveyed by the author or the poet.

Eg:

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid

This is taken from Aunt Jennifer’s tigers and it brings forth a sense of irony because the tigers
are much stronger than the woman who created them.
I’ve tried getting examples from NCERT textbooks so that you can relate them while you’re going
through the poems.

Figures of Speech
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely
players!”. One of the most memorable lines in the English language,
this sentence is a perfect example of figures of speech. They help
lend the prose a lyrical and fresh quality. Let us learn more about
figures of speech.

Figures of Speech
Language can be used in two ways – literally and figuratively. Literal
language is direct and uses the real definition and meanings
of words and phrases. But when we talk figuratively, the meaning of
any word/phrase will depend on the context in which they are used.
A figure of speech relies on such figurative language and rhetoric.
When using figures of speech the words will diverge from their literal
meanings, to give a more stylized and specialized meaning to these
words. Let us take for example the phrase”fast like lightning”. This
phrase merely implies great speed, it does not mean literally as fast as
lightning. Example: “On hearing the school bell the kids ran out of
the class as fast as lightning”. 

(Source: flickr)

Types of Figures of Speech

Now there are dozens of types of figures of speech. But here we will
be focussing on the five main ones we use in our daily prose.

1] Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that uses comparison. In a simile, we
use two specific words “like” and “as” to compare two unlikely
things, that actually have nothing in common. This is done to bring
out the dramatic nature of the prose and invoke vivid images and
comparisons. It is one of the most common forms of a figure of
speech and is used in everything from day-to-day talk to poems.

Let us see some examples of simile. “She is as brave as a lion”. Here

you will notice a girl and her bravery are being compared to a lion.
this is an unusual and illogical comparison, but it brings out the vivid
imagery and lyrical quality in the sentence. The literal sentence
would have read “She is brave”, but using the simile makes it sound
much better. Other such examples can be

 quite like a mouse

 as tall as a mountain
 as strong as an ox
 precious like an angel
2] Metaphor
A metaphor and a simile are quite similar actually. A metaphor also
uses compares to things that are in no way similar. It does so to bring
out the symbolism. A metaphor is a word or phrase used to show its
similarity to another thing. It helps to explain an idea, but if you take
a metaphor at its literal meaning it will sound absurd.

An example of a metaphor is “Alex is a chicken”. Literally, this

sounds so very absurd. But this is a metaphor which suggests that
Alex is a coward, or frightened. It compares or implies that Alex is a
chicken to bring out the symbolism. Some other examples are ‘love is
a battlefield”, “all the world’s a stage”, “that technology is a
dinosaur” etc.

While a simile and metaphor seem to be very similar, there is one

basic difference between the two. In a simile, the comparison
happens with the help of the words “as” and “like”. A metaphor will
not have either of those two words.

3] Personification
Another very interesting figure of speech is personification. In this,
we personify or represent a non-human entity as human. We give an
inanimate object or an intangible idea of some human qualities such
as emotions, or gestures or even speech. this is done to portray
the object as alive and help the listener or reader paint a vivid picture.
Again, if we take the words at their literal meaning they will sound
absurd.

“The wind howled as the storm grew stronger”. Here we have taken

an object, the wind, and personified it as a living thing by claiming it
howled. Other such examples could be, “time ran away from him”,
“the boat danced in the puddle”, “the car died in the middle of the
road” etc.

4] Hyperbole
Hyperbole in the Greek language translates to ‘excess’. And that is
what it does, it exaggerates. We use hyperboles to emphasize the
importance or overstate something. This exaggerates claims
and statements are never meant to be taken at their literal meaning.
They are used to create a strong and lasting impression

An example would be “Since he has been away from home he has

gotten as thin as a toothpick“. Obviously, he has not gotten as thin as
a toothpick, we only exaggerate to emphasize on how thin he has
become. Some other examples are, “Those shoes cost a king’s
ransom”, “For the millionth time, clean the kitchen”, “his grandfather
is older than the hills”.

5] Onomatopeia 
This is a figure of speech where words or phrases indicate sounds.
Often to bring about more imagery and better describe a setting,
authors use words to involve all five of our senses. Onomatopeia
refers to those words that imitate the sounds of an object or person.

For example “The bees buzzed around in the garden”. Here the word

‘buzzed’ is indicating the sound coming from the bees. Some other
examples are “the leaves were rustling”, “the door was squeaking”,
“he closed the book with a thud” etc.
 Solved Question for You
Q: Identify the figure of speech in the following

a. The cat ran away like the wind

b. Suddenly in the middle of the night, the dog started barking.
c. Variety is the spice of life
Ans: The figures of speech are as follows

a. Simile. The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind.
And since the word ‘like’ is used, it is a simile
b. Onomatopeia. Barking is a word that indicates sound.
c. Metaphor. Here the two things are compared without the use
of ‘as’ or ‘like’. The sentence indicates that one of the things is
similar to the other.

 CONTACT

1. The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree. (Simile)

2. Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale. (Simile)
3. The camel is the ship of the desert. (Metaphor)
4. Variety is the spice of life. (Metaphor)
5. Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay. (Personification)
6. O Solitude! Where are the charms that sages have seen in thy face? (Apostrophe)
7. Death lays his icy hands on kings. (Personification)
8. Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears. (Hyperbole)
9. O Hamlet! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain. (Hyperbole)
10. Man proposes, God disposes. (Antithesis)
11. Many are called, but few are chosen. (Antithesis)
12. Here is the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this
little hand. (Hyperbole)
 Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning sounds of neighboring words.

Examples include:

 She sells seashells.

 Walter wondered where Winnie was.
 Blue baby bonnets bobbed through the bayou.
 Nick needed new notebooks.
 Fred fried frogs' legs on Friday.

Anaphora

Anaphora is a technique where several phrases or verses begin with the same word
or words.

Examples include:

 I came, I saw, I conquered. - Julius Caesar

 Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition! - King John II, William
Shakespeare
 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of
wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. - A Tale of Two Cities, Charles
Dickens
 With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the
right. - Abraham Lincoln
 We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end... we shall never
surrender. - Winston Churchill

Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds (not just letters) in words that are close
together. The sounds don't have to be at the beginning of the word.

Examples include:

 A - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore.
(Poe)
 E - Therefore, all seasons shall be sweet to thee. (Coleridge)
 I - From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire.
(Frost)
 O - Oh hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. (Wordsworth)
 U - Uncertain rustling of each purple curtain (Poe)

Euphemism

Euphemism is a mild, indirect, or vague term that often substitutes a harsh, blunt, or
offensive term.

Examples include:

 'A little thin on top' instead of 'going bald.'

 'Fell of the back of a truck' instead of 'stolen.'
 'Letting you go' instead of 'firing you.'
 'Passed away' instead of 'died.'
 'Economical with the truth' instead of 'liar.'

Hyperbole

Hyperbole uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Examples include:

 I've told you to stop a thousand times.

 That must have cost a billion dollars.
 I could do this forever.
 She's older than dirt.
 Everybody knows that.

Irony

Irony occurs when there's a marked contrast between what is said and what is
meant, or between appearance and reality.

Examples include:
 "How nice!" she said, when I told her I had to work all weekend.
(Verbal irony)
 A traffic cop gets suspended for not paying his parking tickets.
(Situational irony)
 The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but sank on its first voyage.
(Situational irony)
 Naming a tiny Chihuahua Brutus. (Verbal irony)
 When the audience knows the killer is hiding in a closet in a scary
movie, but the actors do not. (Dramatic irony)

Metaphor

A metaphor makes a comparison between two unlike things or ideas.

Examples include:

 Heart of stone
 Time is money
 The world is a stage
 She's a night owl
 He's an ogre

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the term for a word that sounds like what it is describing.

Examples include:

 Whoosh
 Splat
 Buzz
 Click
 Oink

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is two contradictory terms used together.

 Examples include:

 Peace force
 Kosher ham
 Jumbo shrimp
 Sweet sorrow
 Free market

Personification

Personification gives human qualities to non-living things or ideas.

Examples include:

 The flowers nodded.

 The snowflakes danced.
 The thunder grumbled.
 The fog crept in.
 The wind howled.

Simile

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as."

Examples include:

 As slippery as an eel
 Like peas in a pod
 As blind as a bat
 Eats like a pig
 As wise as an owl

Synecdoche

Synecdoche occurs when a part is represented by the whole or, conversely, the

whole is represented by the part.

Examples include:
 Wheels - a car
 The police - one policeman
 Plastic - credit cards
 Coke - any cola drink
 Hired hands - workers

Understatement

An understatement occurs when something is said to make something appear less

important or less serious.

Examples include:

 It's just a scratch - referring to a large dent.

 It's a litttle dry and sandy - referring to the driest desert in the world.
 The weather is cooler today - referring to sub-zero temperatures.
 It was interesting - referring to a bad or difficult experience.
 It stings a bit - referring to a serious wound or injury.

SIMILE:

In Simile, a comparison is made between two object of different kinds which have at
least one point in common.

The Simile is introduced by the word ‘as…as’.

Examples:

• As active as quicksilver
• As afraid as a grasshopper
• As ageless as the sun
• As agile as a cat
• As agile as a monkey
• As alert as a bird
• As alike as two peas
• As alone as a leper
• As alone as Crusoe
• As ambitious as the devil

METAPHOR:

A Metaphor is an implied Simile. It does not, like a Simile, state that one thing is like
another or acts as another, but takes that for granted and proceeds as if two things were
one.
Thus when we say, ‘He fought as fiercely as a lion’, it is Simile.

But when we say, ‘He was a lion in the fight’, it is Metaphor.

Examples:

• The camel is the ship of the desert.

• Life is a dream.
• The news was a dragger to his heart.
• Revenge is a kind of wild justice.

NOTE:

Every SIMILE can be compressed into a METAPHOR, and Every METAPHOR can be
expanded into a SIMILE.

Examples:

• Richard fought as fiercely as a loin. (Simile)

• Richard was a lion in the fight. (Metaphor)

• The waves thundered on the shore. (Metaphor)

• The waves broke on the shore with noise like a thunder.

This Figure-of-Speech is also widely used by us in our writings.

PERSONIFICATION:

In Personification, inanimate objects and abstract notions are spoken of as having life
and intelligence.

Examples:

• Death lays its icy hands on King.

• Pride goes forth on horseback, grand and gay.
• Laughter is holding her both sides.

APOSTROPHE:

An Apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, to the absent, or to a personified object

or idea. This figure is a special form of Personification.

Examples:

• Milton! You should not be living at this hour.

• Friend! I know not which way I must look for comfort.
• Roll on! Thou deep and dark blue Ocean, roll.
• Death! Where is thy sting? O Grave! Where is thy victory?

This Figure-of-Speech is also widely used by us in our writings.

HYPERBOLE:

In Hyperbole, a statement is made emphatic by overstatement.

Examples:
• Why, man, if the river is dry, I am able to fill it with tears.
• Hmalet! You have not cleft my heart in twain.

EUPHEMISM:

Euphemism consists in the description of a disagreeable thing by an agreeable name.

Examples:

• You are telling me a fairy tale. (You are telling me lies)

• He is gone to heaven. (He is dead)

This Figure-of-Speech is also widely used by us in our writings.

ANTITHESIS:

In Antithesis, a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiments is made in the

same sentence. It is employed to secure emphasis.

Examples:

• Man proposes, but God disposes.

• Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.
• Speech is silver, but Silence is Gold.
• Many are called, but few are chosen.
• To err is human, but to forgive on divine.

OXYMORON:

Oxymoron is special type of Antithesis, whereby two contradictory qualities are predicted
at once of the same thing.

Examples:

• She accepted it as the kind cruelty of surgeon’s knife.

• His honor rooted in dishonor stood.
• Faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.
• So innocent arch, so cunningly simple.

Identify if the phrase is a simile (S), metaphor (M), personification (P), or Idiom (I).

1. ___ Hair of silk

2. ___ Easy as pie

3. ___ The grass danced in the wind

4. ___ Slept like a log

5. ___ Give you the cold shoulder

6. ___ It was a piece of cake

7. ___ My mouth is a volcano

8. ___ Busy as a bee

9. ___ The house was drowning after the rain

10.___ The room is an oven.

1. ___ It’s raining cats and dogs.

2. ___ As pretty as a flower

3. ___ Loving him was red

4. ___ The wind howled

5. ___ Yellow like the sunshine

6. ___ The thunder roared

7. ___ Cute as a button

8. ___ My school’s a zoo

9. ___ You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

10.___ Life is a roller coaster ride.