Figures Of Speech

Languages are of two types, literal language and figurative language. Literal language is direct and uses the real meanings of words and phrases. Whereas in figurative language the meaning of any word or phrase depends on the context in which they are used. A figure of speech relies on such figurative language and while using figures of speech the words will diverge from their literal meanings, to give a more specialized meaning.

Simile

Simile uses comparison. In a simile two specific words are used “like” and “as” to compare two unlikely things that share nothing in common. This is done to invoke vivid images and comparisons and is one of the most common forms of a figure of speech. For example : “She is as brave as a lion”. Here girl and her bravery are being compared to a lion which brings out the vivid imagery and lyrical quality in the sentence. Other such examples are:

quite like a mouse

as tall as a mountain

as strong as an ox

precious like an angel

Personification

Personification is one of the most interesting figures of speech. In this, we represent a non-human entity as human. We give an inanimate object some human qualities such as emotions, or gestures or even speech. This is used to portray the object as alive and help the listener or reader paint a vivid picture.

For example: “The wind howled as the storm grew stronger”. Here we take the wind as an object, and personify it as a living thing by claiming it howled. Other examples are: “time ran away from him”, “the boat danced in the puddle”, “the car died in the middle of the road” etc.

Metaphor

Metaphor and Simile are quite similar. A metaphor also compares things that are not similar. It brings 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 taken at its literal meaning it will sound absurd.

For example: “Alex is a chicken”. This sounds absurd literally. But this is a metaphor which states that Alex is a coward, or frightened. It implies that Alex is a chicken in order 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.

Simile and Metaphor seem to be very similar but there is one basic difference between the two. In simile, the comparison happens by using the two words “as” and “like” whereas metaphor will not have either of those two words.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where words or phrases indicate sounds which are often used to bring out more imagery and better describe a setting, authors use words to involve all five of our senses. Onomatopoeia 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. Other examples are: “the leaves were rustling”, “the door was squeaking”, “he closed the book with a thud” etc.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is taken from the Greek word which means ‘excess’ and that is what it does, it exaggerates. Hyperboles are used to emphasize the importance of something. This exaggerates claims and statements to create a strong and lasting impression.

For example: “Since he has been away from home he has gotten as thin as a toothpick“. Literally he has not gotten as thin as a toothpick but only exaggerated to emphasize on how thin he has become. Other examples are: “Those shoes cost a king’s ransom”, “For the millionth time, clean the kitchen”, “his grandfather is older than the hills”, etc.