figure of speech pradeep singh
- 2. simile In a simile a comparison is made between two objects of different kinds which have however at least one point in common. Examples :- The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold. The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree
- 3. METAPHOR A Metaphor is an implied simile. It does not like the simile, state that one thing is like another or act as another ,but takes that for granted and proceeds as if the two things were one. Examples :- The camel is ship of the desert. Revenge is the kind of wild justice.
- 4. PERSONIFICATION In Personification inanimate objects and abstract notations are spoken of as having life and intelligence. Examples :- Laughter holding both her sides. Death lays his icy hand on kings.
- 5. Apostrophe An Apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, to the absent, or to a personified objects or idea. This figure is important to Personification. Examples :- O Friend ! I know not which way I must look For, comfort. Milton ! Thou should’st living at this hour.
- 6. HYPERBOLE In Hyperbole a statement is made emphatic by overstatement. Examples :- Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears. O Hamlet ! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
- 7. EUPHEMISM Euphemism consists in the description of a disagreeable thing by an agreeable name. Examples :- He has fallen asleep (i.e., he is dead). You are telling me a fairy tale(i.e., a lie).
- 8. Antithesis In Antithesis a striking apposition or contrast of words or sentiments is made in the same sentence. Is employed to secure emphasis. Examples :- Man proposes, God disposes. Many are called, but few are chosen.
- 9. OXYMORON Oxymoron is a special form of Antithesis, whereby two contradictory qualities are predicted at once of the same thing. Examples :- So innocent arch, so cunningly simple. She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the surgeon’s knife.
- 10. EPIGRAM An Epigram is a brief pointed saying frequently introducing antithetical ideas which excite surprise and arrest attention. Examples :- The child is father of the man. Art lies in concealing art.
- 11. IRONY Irony is mode of speech in which real meaning is exactly the opposite of that which is literally conveyed. Examples :- “This is my brilliant son who failed out of college.” No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
- 12. PUN A Pun is consists in the use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more than one application, the object being to produce a ludicrous effect. Examples :- If life worth living ?-It depends upon liver. An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for the god of his country.
- 13. METONYMY In Metonymy an object is designated by the name of the something which is generally associated with it. Examples :- The crown, for kings. Red-coats, for British soldiers.
- 14. SYNECDOCHE In Synecdoche a part is used to designate the whole or the whole to designate a part. Examples :- Give us this day our daily bread(i.e., food). He has many mouths to feed.
- 15. TRANSFERRED EPITHET In this figure epithet is transferred from its proper word to another that is closely associated with it in the sentence. Examples :- He passed a sleepless night. A ploughman homeward plods his weary way.
- 16. LITOTES In Litotes an affirmative is conveyed by negation of the opposite, the effect being to suggest a strong expression by means of a weaker. It is the opposite of Hyperbole. Examples :- I am not little(=greatly) surprised. The man is not fool(=very clever).
- 17. INTERROGATION Interrogation is the asking of question not for the sake of getting a answer, but to put a point more effectively. Examples :- Am I my brother’s keeper? Who is here so vile that will not love his country?
- 18. EXCLAMATION In this figure the exclamatory form is used to draw greater attention to a point than a mere bald statement of it could do. Examples :- What a piece of work is man! How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
- 19. CLIMAX Climax is arrangement of a series of ideas in increasing importance. Examples :- Simple, erect, sever, austere, ,sublime. What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties! In action, how like an angel ! In apprehension, how like a god!
- 20. ANTICLIMAX Anticlimax is opposite of Climax a sudden decent from higher to lower. It is chiefly used for the purpose of satire or ridicule. Examples :- Here thou, great Anna ! Whom three realms obey, Dost sometimes counsel take-and sometimes tea. And thou, Dalhousie, the great god of war, Lieutenant-Colonel to the earl of mar.