Figures of speech

Figures of Speech

A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is an intentional deviation from ordinary language, chosen to produce a rhetorical effect.

A figure of speech is used for comparison, emphasis, and giving a clear picture of what is written or said.

Types of Figures of Speech

• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia
• Rhyme

Simile

This is used to compare two different things that have certain qualities in common. The words "like" or "as" are used in the comparison.

• Examples of simile:
• She eats like a pig.
• She runs as fast as a cheetah.
• He is as brave as a lion.
• She is as fresh as a newborn baby.
• He is hard like a rock.

Metaphor

This is used to compare different things that actually have something in common. Metaphor represents one thing as being exactly like the other. But there is a difference between metaphor and simile; metaphor does not use "like" and "as" in its comparison.

• Examples of metaphor:
• He is our rock.
• He is a lion.
• She is a fire.
• The lion of Jude.
• He is a donkey.

Personification

This is used to give non-human things the qualities of human beings.

• Examples of personification:
• The leaves whistled to me.
• The cloud is pregnant.
• The moon is smiling.
• I heard the wind yelling last night.

Alliteration

This means the repetition of the same initial letters, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words.

• Examples of alliteration:
• Betty butter bought some butter.
• A plantain planter planted his plantain in his plantain plantation.

Onomatopoeia

This simply means the use of a word to describe a natural or animate sound made by an object or an action.

• Examples of onomatopoeia:
• The gun went "pop! pop!"
• The dog barked "Haww! Haww!"
• The boy banged the door "gan! gan!"

Rhyme

Rhymes are usually found in poems. It is a word that sounds the same as another word.

• Examples of rhyme:
• He sold the gold.
• The boy plays with a toy.