LESSON 6 - Figures of Speech

         

          We use figures of speech in "figurative language" to add color and interest, and to awaken the imagination. Figurative language is everywhere, from classical works like Shakespeare or the Bible, to everyday speech, pop music and television commercials. It makes the reader or listener use their imagination and understand much more than the plain words.

        Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. Literal language means exactly what it says. Figurative language means something different to (and usually more than) what it says on the surface:

• He ran fast. (literal)
• He ran like the wind. (figurative)

          In the above example "like the wind" is a figure of speech (in this case, a simile). It is important to recognize the difference between literal and figurative language. There are many figures of speech that are commonly used and which you can learn by heart. At other times, writers and speakers may invent their own figures of speech. If you do not recognize them as figures of speech and think that they are literal, you will find it difficult to understand the language.

Examples of Figures of Speech

Here are some examples of figures of speech in the categories which most commonly employ words in their non-literal meaning:

Metaphor
 

A metaphor asserts that one thing is something that it literally is not. For example:

    This bedroom is a prison.

    He listened with a stone face.
    We don't need dinosaurs in this company.

Simile

A simile likens one thing to another (usually achieved by the use of the word like or as). For example:

    He eats like a gannet.
    This sandwich tastes like sawdust between two doormats.
    She sings like an angel.
    

Personification

Personification is when non-human objects are given human traits. For example:

    The tide waits for no man.
    My car tends to give up on long hills.
    Summer's healing rays


Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggeration or extravagant statement used for effect. For example:

    I have a million problems.
    We won a tonne of cash.
    I'll die if I don't finish this crossword.


Onomatopoeia

This figure of speech makes sounds of words express their meaning. For example:

    The bell clangs solemnly.

    The waves splash on the shore.

    The bird’s chirp filled the empty night air.

Irony

This figure of speech expresses words with opposite meanings. For example:

    I'm so glad, you lost the game.

    I'm sorry, but  you won the first prize.
    The student who didn't study passed the test.

Apostrophe

The figure of speech is used to address a dead or inanimate object as though they can hear, or the absent as though they are rpesent. For example:

    O, Silver Moon brighten up my life!

    Long live, Philippines! You are our pride.

    Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?

Exercise1

Directions: Answer these questions to test your knowledge of the important terms, concepts, and skills in this lesson.


1.   A figure of speech is
    A)    a familiar expression or saying.
    B)    a nonliteral way of saying something.
    C)    what the author literally means.
    D)    something only writers use.

2.    Figures of speech mean exactly what the words say.
    A)    True
    B)    False

3.    A figure of speech has to be interpreted by the reader or listener.
    A)    True
    B)    False

4.    Two figures of speech that involve comparisons are
    A)    simile and metonymy.
    B)    metonymy and metaphor.
    C)    personification and hyperbole.
    D)    simile and metaphor.

5.    The figure of speech in which the author makes an obvious exaggeration for emphasis or to create some other specific effect is
    A)    simile.
    B)    metaphor.
    C)    hyperbole.
    D)    metonymy.

6.    The words like and as typically appear in a
    A)    simile.
    B)    metaphor.
    C)    personification.
    D)    metonymy.

7.    Another name for figure of speech is figurative language.
    A)    True
    B)    False

8.    When words are literal, they mean exactly what they say.
    A)    True
    B)    False

9. What is the figure of speech in which nonhuman or nonliving things are spoken about as if they were human?
    A)    metaphor
    B)    hyperbole
    C)    personification
    D)    metonymy



10. In irony, words mean the opposite of what they appear to be saying or an occurrence is contrary to what is expected or intended.
    A)    True
    B)    False

Exercise2

Directions: Write on the blank before each number the figure of speech given by each of the following sentences:

____________________1. Her eyes sparkle like the radiant sun.

____________________2. He is busy as a bee.

____________________3. Mario is a revolving gun in the office,.

____________________4. The deafening silence pierce my ears.

____________________5. O wisdom, please do not fail me!

____________________6. The faucet drips slowly.

____________________7. I am so sorry with the victory.

____________________8. The darkness eats his beautiful figure.

____________________9. The food tastes a like bagdul of salt.

____________________10. Believe me, Rudolph is a walking dictionary.

    

Exercise 3

Directions: Choose the correct figure of speech of the italicize words.

1.    What figure of speech is bores me to tears?

    A)    hyperbole
    B)    simile
    C)    metaphor
    D)    personification

2.    What figure of speech is the book dropped from his hands like lead?
    A)    simile
    B)    metaphor
    C)    hyperbole
    D)    personification
3.    What figure of speech is The field sits breathless?
    A)    simile
    B)    metaphor
    C)    personification
    D)    hyperbole

4.    What figure of speech is But Nature is patient?
    A)    personification
    B)    metaphor
    C)    simile
    D)    hyperbole

5.    What figure of speech is . . . his body is the ready servant of his will?
    A)    metaphor
    B)    simile
    C)    personification
    D)    hyperbole

6.    What figure of speech is Her eyebrows looked like caterpillars?
    A)    personification
    B)    simile
    C)    hyperbole
    D)    metaphor

7.    What figure of speech is the world was a veritable candy store?
    A)    metaphor
    B)    simile
    C)    personification
    D)    hyperbole

8.   What figure of speech is life became one long party?
    A)    hyperbole
    B)    simile
    C)    metaphor
    D)    personification


9. What figure of speech is Rosie was lonelier than anyone had ever been before, except for Typhoid Mary?
    A)    simile
    B)    metaphor
    C)    personification
    D)    hyperbole

10. What figure of speech is Pain and pleasure would be at this elbow telling him to do this and avoid that . . .?
    A)    hyperbole
    B)    simile
    C)    metaphor
    D)    personification

Reference

 English, Communication Arts I (Conversational Approach) pp. 83-85

 http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/figures.htm 

 http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/figure_of_speech.htm

 http://www.englishlanguageterminology.org/apostrophe.htm

 http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073513474/student_view0/bonus_chapter_/figures_of_speech_quiz_1.html 

 http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073513474/student_view0/bonus_chapter_1/figures_of_speech_quiz_2.html