PROJECT

IN

OUR LADY OF REMEDY

FIGURE OF SPEECH
A mode of expression in which words are used out of their literal meaning or out
of their ordinary use in order to add beauty or emotional intensity or to transfer
the poet's sense impressions by comparing or identifying one thing with another
that has a meaning familiar to the reader. Some important figures of speech are:
simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole and symbol.
1. ALLITERATION
Alliteration refers to the repetition of a consonant sound, at least three times in a
sentence.
Don't delay dawns disarming display. Dusk demands daylight.
Sara's seven sisters slept soundly in sand.
2. ANASTROPHE
Anastrophe the inversion of the normal order of speech in a particular sentence.
Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man.
Why should their liberty than ours be more?
3. ANAPHORA
Anaphora refers to a repetition of one particular word purposely, at the start of
consecutive sentences or paragraphs.
I'm not afraid to die. I'm not afraid to live. I'm not afraid to fail. I'm not afraid to
succeed. I'm not afraid to fall in love. I'm not afraid to be alone. I'm just afraid I
might have to stop talking about myself for five minutes.
Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water,
everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.
4. ANTITHESIS
Antithesis is defined as an opposition or contradiction between two concepts in a
statement.
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry, The sun so hot, Froze to
death...
You're easy on the eyes, hard on the heart...
5. ANTONOMASIA
Antonomasia refers to the substitution of a proper name with a phrase, which then
becomes a way of recognition for the person in question
The King of Pop - Michael Jackson
The Bard - William Shakespeare
The Iron lady for Margaret thatcher
The Mahatma for Mahatma Ghandhi
6. CIRCUMLOCUTION
The use of unnecessarily large number of words to express a simple idea. An
ambiguous and round about form of speech. Example:

The square looking bulky black box to describe a television set.

7. EUPHEMISM
A euphemism is the use of neutral language to remark something that may be offensive
to the receiver
We have to let you go. Read: You're fired.
You're well fed. Read: You're fat.
8. HYPERBOLE
A hyperbole is a figure of speech used for the purpose of exaggeration.
I'm so busy trying to accomplish ten million things at once.
Your dog is so ugly, we had to pay the fleas to live on him.
9. IDIOM
An idiom is a figure of speech that is used to help express a situation with ease, but by
using expressions that are usually completely unrelated to the situation in question.
It's no good crying over spilt milk.
- This is an idiom that simply means there is no use regretting about unfortunate events
that have passed and cannot be changed.
It takes two to tango.
- This idiom simply means that it takes more than one person to mess up a situation, i.e.
it is not only always one person's fault
10. IRONY
Irony refers to the use of certain words that actually intend to convey the opposite. Irony
forms the basis of sarcasm, and of humor.
Bill Gates winning a computer.- Situational Irony (He is the owner of the world's
largest software company.)
In Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet is drugged, Romeo assumes her to be dead,
and kills himself. Upon waking up Juliet finds him dead, and kills herself.Dramatic Irony (Mainly based on miscommunication and misunderstanding.)
11. LITOTES
This figure of speech refers to the use of understatement, to affirm a particular situation
or event with the use of a negative opposite..
He was not unfamiliar with the work of Shakespeare.
Einstein is not a bad mathematician.
12. METAPHOR
Used for the purpose of comparison, a metaphor is a figure of speech that implies the
meaning of an object with its reference to another completely unrelated object.
The sofa is fertile soil for a couch potato.
But my heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.

13. METONYMY
Metonymy refers to the use of a phrase regarding an associated concept, in order to
describe the actual concept.
The editorial page has always believed...- This refers to the belief of the editors
who write the editorial page.
He writes a fine hand.- It means he has good handwriting
14. ONOMATOPOEIA
Such words imitate the sounds made by certain objects or actions.

The clatter of utensils.

The flutter of birds.

15. OXYMORON
An oxymoron uses a contradictory adjective to define an object, situation or event.
Loners' club.
A stripper's dressing room
16. PARADOX
While an oxymoron is a contradictory phrase, a paradox is a contradictory statement
which may appear false, but is in fact true.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.- George Orwell, 19842.
Deep down, you're really shallow.
17. PARALIPSIS
This figure of speech is used by people who do not wish to speak on a subject, but still
manage to disclose it.
It would be unseemly for me to dwell on Senator Kennedy's drinking problem,
and too many have already sensationalized his womanizing...
I will not dwell on the senator's shady history with the criminal underworld, or on
her alcoholic son... such issues should not be brought up in a reasoned
18. PERSONIFICATION
This refers to the art of bringing to life an inanimate object, trait, or action, by
associating it with a human quality.
The picture in that magazine screamed for attention.
The carved pumpkin smiled at me.
19. PUN
Puns refer to the deliberate substitution of similar sounding words to create a humorous
effect.

I bet the butcher the other day that he couldn't reach the meat that was on the
top shelf. He refused to take the bet, saying that the steaks were too high.

Santa's helpers are subordinate Clauses.

20. RHETORIC
Rhetoric refers to the art of persuasion through effective speech. Questions that have
an obvious answer are known as rhetorical questions. Such questions are not expected
to be answered, as the answers already known. These are included in persuasive
speech. Some examples include:
If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why practice?
Why do you need a drivers license to buy liquor when you cannot drink and
drive?
21. SARCASM
Is a form of humor that uses sharp cutting remarks intended to mock or ridicule others
When you made the most silly mistake ever, your friend says to you Good job.
oh very funny, haha when you dont mean it.
22. SIMILE
A simile is similar to a metaphor. However, here, a reference between two concepts is
made by using the terms 'like' or 'as'.

Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee Like every girl in history.Ricky Martin (She Bangs)
George felt as worn out as an old joke that was never very funny in the first place

23. SPOONERISM
Is a deliberate error made by the speaker by changing a morpheme, consonant or
vowel of a word
That must be a blushing crow for them ( A crushing blow)
Is the cable teen? ( Is the table clean?)
24. SYNECDOCHE (/snkdki/, si- NEK-d-kee; from Greek synekdoche
(), meaning "simultaneous understanding") is a figure of speech in which a
term for a part of something refers to the whole of something, or vice-versa.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Silverware or dishes made of silver may be called silver even if they aren't sold
silver.
The word plastic is commonly used to refer to credit cards.
The word "ivories" is often used to denote piano keys, even though the keys are
no longer made of ivory.
25. ZEUGMA
This figure of speech refers to the use of only one word to describe two actions or
events. The word however, logically applies only to one of the actions.

She opened the door and her heart to the orphan.

She lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes and his
hopes.