Figures of Speech - Definition, Types, Uses With  Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Are Figures of Speech?
• Types of Figures of Speech
• How to Identify Figures of Speech
• Where We Use Figures of Speech

A figure of speech is a way of using language to make it more engaging, expressive, or memorable. These creative techniques help writers and speakers communicate ideas effectively by adding depth and color to their words. 

Understanding figures of speech allows us to appreciate how language can inspire, persuade, and connect people.

What Are Figures of Speech?

Figures of speech are literary devices that deviate from the literal meaning of words to create a special effect. Instead of simply stating facts, figures of speech use language creatively. 

For example, instead of saying "The runner was fast," one can say "The runner was a cheetah." This creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.  

Figures of speech are found everywhere, from poetry and novels to everyday conversations and song lyrics.

Take this quiz :

Figure Of Speech Quiz

Types of Figures of Speech

In English, there are numerous figures of speech, but some are more frequently used in both writing and speech. Let's explore some of the most common ones:

Take this quiz :

Identify all These Figures of Speech Quiz

How to Identify Figures of Speech

Here's how to identify figures of speech:

1. Look for comparisons:
   • Similes use words like "like" or "as" to compare.
     Example: "Her smile is as bright as the sun."
   • Metaphors make direct comparisons without those words.
     Example: "Time is a thief."
2. Check for exaggeration:
   • Hyperbole involves extreme exaggeration for effect.
     Example: "I've told you a million times to clean your room."
3. Identify human traits in non-human things:
   • Personification gives human qualities to non-human objects or ideas.
     Example: "The wind whispered through the trees."
4. Spot opposites together:
   • Oxymorons combine contradictory terms.
     Example: "This is a bittersweet moment."
5. Listen for repetition of sounds:
   • Alliteration repeats consonants at the start of words.
     Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
   • Assonance repeats vowel sounds.
     Example: "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain."
6. Watch for indirect language:
   • Euphemisms replace harsh terms with softer expressions.
     Example: *"He passed away" instead of "He died."
7. Look for play on words:
   • Puns involve clever wordplay or humor.
     Example: "I'm reading a book on anti-gravity; it's impossible to put down."
8. Check for contrast:
   • Antithesis pairs opposing ideas for emphasis.
     Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
9. Identify addressing something non-human:

Apostrophe addresses an absent or non-human entity as if it could respond.
Example: "O Death, where is your sting?"

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Figures Of Speech MCQ Quiz Questions With Answers

Where We Use Figures of Speech

Figures of speech aren't just for poets and novelists. We use them all the time, often without even realizing it. They pop up in everyday conversations, song lyrics, advertisements, and even in the way we talk about the weather.  

Here are a few places where Figures of Speech make an appearance:

• Everyday conversations: "I'm so tired I could sleep for a week!" (Hyperbole)  
• Song lyrics: "You're my sunshine, my only sunshine." (Metaphor)  
• Advertisements: "Our coffee is like a warm hug on a cold day." (Simile)
• Books and stories: "The old house groaned under the weight of the snow." (Personification)

Figures of Speech add colour and depth to our communication, making our language more interesting and memorable.

Take this quiz :

Figure Of Speech Worksheet Quiz: Simile, Metaphor, And Personification