Figures of Speech
- These are subjected to many interpretations
- Approximately 150+ figures of speech are found in literature
- Uses Figurative Language (or figuring ideas out based on one’s scheme)
1. Irony – A statement which thought in the first part contradicts the second one.

Ex.
a. In Shakespeare’s Oedipus Rex, the audience is aware that Oedipus’s journey to find the murderer will be fruitless because he himself is the murderer
b. A marriage counselor filed for divorce.
c. My teacher failed the test.
2. Paradox - A statement that is usually a concept that apparently contradicts itself and yet might be true (or wrong at the same time).
Ex.
a. You can save money by spending it.
b. A rich man is no richer than a poor man.
c. Be cruel to be kind.

3. Antithesis – A statement that in which two opposing ideas are out together to achieve balance or contrasting effect.
Ex.
a. Speech is silver, but silence is gold.
b. You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.
c. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
4. Synecdoche - uses a part of something to represent the entire whole or vice versa.
Ex.
a. The word "wheels" refers to a vehicle.
b. The word “sails” is often used to refer to a whole ship.
c. The word "police" can be used to represent only one or a few police officers.
d. "Milk" is commonly used to refer to cow's milk when, in reality there are many sources of milk.

5. Metonymy – Word(s) used to stand for another word (or act as a substitute).
Ex.
a. The library has been very helpful to the students this morning.
b. If we do not fill out the forms properly, the suits will be after us shortly.
c. She's planning to serve the dish early in the evening.

6. Alliteration – Words that begin using the same kinds of sound or consonant.
Ex.
a. Fred’s friends fried Fritos for Friday’s food
b. Orson’s owl out-performed ostriches.

7. Onomatopoeia – Sounds produced by things / animals / people / etc. which others can distinguish using their schema.
Ex.
a. The dishes fell to the floor with a clatter.
b. The sheep went, Baa.

8. Hyperbole – An extreme exaggeration used to make a point or make it more important than what something actually is.
Ex.
a. I have a million things to do.
b. That new car costs bazillion dollars.

9. Understatement - can be used to reflect modesty derogatory or complimentary tone. It literally refers to what is not being said.
Ex.
a. "It's a bit yellow" - while describing a very yellow canary.
b. "He is a little on the old side" - describing a very old person.
10. Personification – Gives inanimate objects living characteristics or traits.
Ex.
a. The trees swayed with delight.
b. The plastic flew with grace and style.
11. Simile – Obvious comparison of two or more things / objects / people / etc. and uses words such as: like, as, such as, etc.
Ex.
a. I am as strong as a bull.
b. My techniques are like woven with smooth fabric.
12. Metaphor – Direct / Not so obvious comparison of things / objects / people / etc.
Ex.
a. You are sun that lights my day.
b. I am the star that brightens your evening.