FIGURES OF SPEECH

FIGURES OF SPEECH

A figure of speech, sometimes termed a rhetoric, or locution, is a word or phrase that departs from straightforward, literal language. Figures of speech are often used and crafted for emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. However, clarity may also suffer from their use. Note that all theories of meaning necessarily have a concept of "literal language" . Under theories that do not, figure of speech is not an entirely coherent concept.

Find out the figure of speech employed

1. "As shines a moon in clouded skies, she in her poor attire was seen"
A. simile

B. metaphor

C. personification

D. alliteration

2. "Like a hurt bitch, she bared her teeth".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

3. "He hides a smiling face".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

4. "Tippu fought against the British like a tiger.".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

5. "Tippu was a tiger".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

6. "Her voice is as sweet as that of the nightingale".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

7. "Young men are the salt of the nation".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

8."Death lays his icy hands on the kings".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

10. "God rides upon the storm".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

11. "My mother, black prolific earth mother".
A. personification

B. metaphor

C. simile

D. alliteration

12. "........ my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs"
A. simile

B. metaphor

C. personification

D. alliteration

13. "She groaned, closed her eyes, never opened them again"
A. simile

B. metaphor

C. euphemism

D. alliteration

14. "Like a hurt bitch, she bared her teeth"
A. simile

B. metaphor

C. personification

D. alliteration

What is a figure of speech?
A figure of speech is a deviation from the ordinary use of words, so that the effect of the words is heightened. When figurative language is introduced it contributes powerfully to increase understanding.
SIMILE :

A definite expression of a likeness between objects of different kind or species. It is usually introduced by words of comparison such as, ‘like’, ‘so’, and ‘as’
e.g., World is like a stage. He is as swift as wind.

METAPHOR :

A metaphor is an implied simile or comparison. It is a figure of speech in which hidden comparisons between two objects of different kinds, having at least one point in common. Here the comparison is not openly expressed or stated and it has to be inferred.
e.g., All the world is a stage -
In which all men and women are merely players.
Tippu was the tiger of Mysore.

PERSONIFICATION :

This is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are spoken of as if they are alive ( having life and intelligence).
e.g., Death leaped on the beautiful deer.
Love came to Flora asking for a flower.

EUPHEMISM:

Harsh and unpleasant facts expressed indirectly in a mild and less unpleasant manner.
e.g, He attained the lotus feet of the Lord. ( i.e., He died.)

Some Examples:
Tippu fought against the British like a tiger. - Simile
Tippu was a tiger. - Metaphor
Her voice is as sweet as that of the nightingale. - Simile
Young men are the salt of the nation. - Metaphor
Death lays his icy hands on the kings. - Personafication
God plans his foot steps in the sea. - Personafication
God rides upon the storm. - Personafication
God hides a smiling face. - Personafication
My mother, black prolific earth mother. - Metaphor
Like a hurt bitch, she bared her teeth. - Simile
........ my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs. - Simile
She groaned, closed her eyes, never opened them again. - Euphemism

Examples from Previous Question Papers
As sweet and dry was the ground / As tobaco dust.
a. Personification

b. Metaphor

c. Simile

d. Euphemism

Death leaped on the beautiful wild deer.
a. Metaphor

b. Simile

c. Personification d. Irony

Till suddenly Death leaped on the beautiful deer.
a. Simile

b. Personification

c. Metaphor d. Irony

I am not as strong as my Grandmother.
a. Metaphor

b. Simile

c. Personification

The moon slides down the stair / To see who’s there!
a. Simile

b. Metaphor

c. Personification

Like an ingrate, I left my friend.
a. Personification

b. Simile

c. Metaphor

Ghost-like I paced round the haunts of my childhood.
a. Metaphor

b. Personification

c. Simile

Summer has spread a cool, green tent.
a. Metaphor

b. Simile

c. Personification

I am not as strong as my grandmother.
a. Metaphor

b. Personification

c. Simile

"The wind slipped through the leaves as if afraid.........."
a. Personification

b. Metaphor

c. Simile

"The wind slipped through the leaves as if afraid.........."
a. Metaphor

b. Simile

c.Personification

"I who am Death shall haunt your children.
a. Personification

b. Metaphor

c. Simile

Content and health can sleep without the power of wealth.
a. Simile

b. Personification

c. Metaphor