FIGURES OF SPEECH

One meaning of “figure” is “drawing” or “image” or “picture”. Figurative language creates figures (pictures) in
the mind of the reader or listener. These pictures convey the meaning faster and more vividly than words alone.
Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. Literal language means exactly what it says. Figurative
language means something different to (and usually more than) what it says on the surface.
-use of words in a sense different from the literal definition for the purpose of producing clearness, force, beauty
and memorableness of expression
- do not make sense if applied literally but they paint vivid word pictures when their imaginative meanings are
applied
EXAMPLE #1: How could she marry a snake like that!
LITERAL MEANING: SNAKE - a long, limbless reptile (ex. cobra, python, viper)
FIGURATIVE MEANING: SNAKE - traitor
EXAMPLE #2: I'm not an angel, but I wouldn't behave like that.
LITERAL MEANING: ANGEL- a spiritual being believed to be a messenger of God
FIGURATIVE MEANING: ANGEL - exemplary person
COMMONLY USED FIGURES OF SPEECH
1. SIMILE - compares two unlike or unrelated persons of things that have something in common using “ like, as , resemble
or similar to”.
EXAMPLES: 1. She is as obedient as a puppet. 2. You were like a mad dog in running after the snatcher.

2. METAPHOR - compares two unlike objects without the use of “like or as”.
EXAMPLES:1. The world is an apple. 2.The fathers are the pillars of the house. The mothers are the light of the house.

3.PERSONIFICATION - gives human qualities non-human things, abstract ideas, and inanimate objects as if they were
humans.
EXAMPLES: 1. Conscience whispered in his ear. 2. The waves sang her a song.

4.IRONY -suggests the opposite meaning of the real thing. It is “ ridicule in the guise of compliment.”
EXAMPLES:1. Your father will surely like your report card - all in technicolor.
2. As they step out the door, it begins to rain. One says, “Oh, great! I was hoping it would rain.”

5.APOSTROPHE - address to one that is absent as though he were present, a dead person as if he were
alive, an inanimate object or an abstract idea as if it has life.
EXAMPLES:1. Oh Liberty! Oh Liberty! What crimes are committed in thy name!
2.“ Farewell, my beloved Philippines, the sorrow of my sorrow.”

6.HYPERBOLE – intentional exaggeration

EXAMPLES: 1. I'll move heaven and earth just to see you everyday.
2. I've grown white hair waiting for you but you did not show up.

7.ONOMATOPOEIA - uses words whose sounds suggest their sense.

EXAMPLES: 1. The thunder came roaring. The lightning followed flashing. 2.I hear the humming bee and the cackling
hen.

8.OXYMORON - uses terms or words that are normally opposite or contradictory in idea.
EXAMPLES:1. Parting is such a sweet sorrow. 2...of living deads, dear wounds, fair storms and freezing fire

9.SYNECDOCHE -gives significant part to represent the whole.

EXAMPLES: 1. The poor woman has ten hungry mouths to feed.
2. The president's administration contained the best brains in the country.

10.EUPHEMISM - less offensive synonym; a word or phrase used in place of a term that might be considered too direct,
harsh, unpleasant or offensive
EXAMPLES:1. sanitation engineer for garbage collector 2. senior citizens for old people 3.passed away for dead