Figures of Speech Figures of speech breathe life

Figures of Speech Figures of speech breathe life and colour into the things we read. It makes the reader or listener use their imagination and understand much more than could be said with just plain words. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IS THE OPPOSITE OF LITERAL LANGUAGE. Literal = EXACTLY what it says Figurative = means something DEEPER than what’s on the surface In order to appreciate it, we must first be able to IDENTIFY and UNDERSTAND the various figures of speech.

Personification This figure of speech is used when human qualities are given to inanimate objects or animals. There are certain things humans can do that no other living thing can. Often, in order to awaken the imagination of the reader or listener, the writer will let inanimate objects “act” like humans. “ ‘Ah, William, we’re weary of weather. ’ said the sunflowers, shining with dew…” – William Blake

Simile A simile is a figure of speech that says one thing is like another thing. It’s easy to spot – just look for the words: à LIKE or àAS “It’s been a hard day’s night and I’ve been working like a dog. ” - The Beatles

Metaphor A simile is a figure of speech that says one thing is another thing. It allows use to use fewer word and forces the reader or listener to find the similarities. The characteristics are TRANSFERRED from one object to another. The word metaphor comes from the Greek word: metapherin meaning transfer. “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. ” – William Shakespeare

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses an exaggerated and extravagant statement to create a strong emotional response. In other words: OVER THE TOP! It is after all figurative, so it is not meant to be taken literally. It is frequently used to make something funny “Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then another thousand, then a second hundred, then still another thousand, then hundred. ” - Catullus

Oxymoron An oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposite (or contradictory) ideas. By doing this, the reader or listener creates a new concept or meaning in the mind of the reader. It’s meant to make you think a little! “The sound of silence. ” – Simon and Garfunkel

Assonance is a sound device in which the vowel sounds are repeated. This creates an internal rhyme. “That dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea…” – WB Yeats “I must confess that in my quest I felt depressed and restless…” – Thin Lizzy *REMEMBER* If you are asked to identify assonance in a poem, you MUST underline or highlight or circle the vowel sound being repeated. If you don’t, marks will not be awarded.

Alliteration is a sound device in which the first consonant sound of words close to one another are repeated. “Good men are gruff and grumpy, cranky, crabbed and cross. ” – Clement Cross *REMEMBER* If you are asked to identify alliteration in a poem, you MUST underline or highlight or circle the first consonant sound being repeated. If you don’t, marks will not be awarded.

Onomatopoeia is the figure of speech that occurs when words imitate sounds objects or actions actually make. “Chug, chug. Puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong. The little train rumbled over the tracks. ” – Arnold Munk

Figures of Speech And off you go! You can now analyse poetry so well that you would make Shakespeare proud.