By: Heba Ali

Figures of Speech
Language can be used in two ways – Direct way and figurative
way.
• Direct language is 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 move away from
their direct meanings, to give a more stylized and specialized
meaning to these words.
• Example: ”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”.
Types of Figures of Speech
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.
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.
The Direct 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
Types of Figures of Speech
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 without as or like. It helps to explain an idea
An example of a metaphor is “Alex is a chic this is a metaphor
which suggests that Alex is a coward, or frightened”.

Tip: 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.
Types of Figures of Speech
3] Personification
Another very interesting figure of speech is personification. In
this, we personify or represent a non-human entity as human.
We give human qualities such as emotions, or gestures or even
speech to a non-human.
This is done to make an object as alive as a human and help the
listener or reader to draw a picture in his mind.
Example: “Time ran away”. Here we have taken an object, the
Time, and personified it as a living thing by claiming it ran away.
Other such examples could be, “the car died in the middle of the
road”.
Types of Figures of Speech
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 direct 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”.
Types of Figures of Speech
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.
6]Alliteration
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of
adjacent or closely connected words.
Example:
But a better butter makes a batter better.
• A big bully beats a baby boy.
7 ] Repetition
is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times
to make an idea clearer.
There are several types of repetitions commonly used poetry.
As a rhetorical device, it could be a word, a phrase or a full sentence or
a poetical line repeated to highlight its significance in the entire text.
Repetition is not distinguished solely as a figure of speech but more as
a rhetorical device. Example : Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn…