Figures of Speech

Figures of Speech

A figure of speech is a creative use of language to generate an effect, enhance an expression, or evoke an emotion

Onomatopoeia

It is a type of figurative language where a word actually looks or sounds like the sound it is intended to make.

For example, the sound of a doorbell “ding dong”, barking of dogs “woof woof”

Alliteration

It is the term given to the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in a phrase.

For example: “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers” repeats the letter p.

Assonance

It is a figure of speech that is characterized by the use of words having similar vowel sounds consecutively. It can be said to be a variation of alliteration.

For example: "the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain", where the "a" sound is repeated.

Consonance

It is a figure of speech that repeats consonant sounds within nearby words.

For example: "She sells seashells by the seashore" (repetition of the "s" sound)

Simile

A figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as".

For example: “The cat was as fluffy as a cloud." 

Metaphor

It is a figure of speech that makes a direct, non-literal comparison between two unlike things by stating that one is the other, without using "like" or "as".

For example: "Her tears were a river flowing down her cheeks.”

Personification

A figure of speech that gives human qualities, such as actions, emotions, or intentions, to non-human things like animals, objects, or abstract ideas.

For example: "The sun smiled down on us"