Figures of Speech

Figurative
Language
Here are more figures of
speech that you can add
to the ones already
discussed in previous
lessons that you can use
in creative nonfiction:
fIGURATIVE
• Figurative language refers to the use of
lANGUAGE
words in a way that deviates from the
conventional order and meaning in order
to convey a complicated meaning,
colorful writing, clarity, or evocative
comparison. It uses an ordinary sentence
to refer to something without directly
stating it.
Anaphora Anaphora – the use of a word/
phrases/ sequence of words
repeatedly in nearby clauses or
sentences to add emphasis; almost
always parallel-structured
Example: Our nation is at war…
Our economy badly weakened …
Our healthcare is
too costly…
Antithesis Antithesis – a contradiction that pits
two ideas against each other in a
parallel, balanced way
Example: The church contains in
full the kindness and cruelty, the
fierce intelligence and the shocking
ignorance, the struggles and
successes, the love and yes, the
bitterness and bias.”
Euphemism Euphemism – substitute words/
phrases to soften/ subdue meaning
or sound
Example: pass away instead of die
escort – call girl/boy
Hyperbole Hyperbole – exaggerated statements
or claims that should not be taken
literally
Example: “The deal I just made
with China is, by far, the greatest
and biggest deal ever made for our
Great Patriot Farmers in the history
of our Country," Trump tweeted
the day after. "In fact, there is a
question as to whether or not this
much product can be produced?
Our farmers will figure it out,”
President Trump announced
recently.
Parallelism Parallelism- parts of lines, verses or sentences or
paragraphs are grammatically the same or are
similarly structured
Example: We can never be satisfied as long as the

Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of
police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long
as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel,
cannot gain lodging in the motels of the
highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot
be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility
is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can
never be satisfied as long as our children are
stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their
dignity by signs
stating: "For Whites Only" We cannot be satisfied
as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and
a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for
which to vote
Personification
Personification – assigning human traits to
animals or objects
Example: Time grabs you by the wrist and directs

you where to go.
• E.g. As I climbed the stairs, the staircase

groaned as if awoken from a long sleep.
• E.g. Seaweed snatched at his legs as he tried
to swim away.
• E.g. The sun peaked out from behind the
cloud.
Write down each example then circle the object, animal
or idea and underline the human characteristic.
1. The wind whispered a song to the trees.
2. As she lay in the shallows, the waves softly caressed

her.
3. The traffic noises argued long into the night until

finally the boy fell to sleep.
Analysis
Pun
Pun – word play using different meaning of
homophones; word with multiple meanings
or similar-sounding words for humorous, witty or
rhetorical effect
Example: A pessimist's blood type is always B-

negative
The other day I held the door open for a clown. I
thought it was a nice jester (gesture)
Symbolism Symbolism – an object that signifies deeper
meaning than its literal meaning
Example: ring – marriage flag – country’s

sovereignty/ freedom
Understatement – A situation wherein what is
Understatement discussed or referred to on hand is made less
important than it really is
Example: “I have to have this operation. It isn't

very serious. ...
“I think so,” said Professor McGonagall dryly,
“we teachers are rather good at magic, you
know.” – Professor McGonagall in J.K.
Rowling's Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
A group of words established by usage as having a
Idiom meaning not deducible from those of the individual
words.
• E.g. I was over the moon.

• E.g. Put in some elbow grease.
• E.g. She was sitting on the fence.
• E.g. I have my finger on the pulse.
Read each of the following examples, and explain what
the idiom means.
1. It's raining cats and dogs.
2. I think you're pulling my leg.
3. We need to get this show on the road.
4. That assignment was a piece of cake.
5. You wouldn't want to jump the gun.
6. It only happens once in a blue moon.
Analysis 7. The ball is in your court.

Activity
A. Write the symbolism for each.
1. red _________________
2. white _________________
3. black _________________
4. cross _________________
5. snake _________________
Activity
B. Put a checkmark (/) on the blank if the statement
expresses an irony.
____ 1. “I just love your timing! I was just going to bed.”
____ 2. They both left.
____ 3. He promised never to leave me. He left me for
some girl he just met.
____ 4. “I cannot thank you enough for ruining my life.”
____ 5. I pray I’ll get well soon.

Figures of Speech

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Figures of Speech

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Figures of Speech

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Figurative

Example: We can never be satisfied as long as the

Example: Time grabs you by the wrist and directs

• E.g. As I climbed the stairs, the staircase

1. The wind whispered a song to the trees.

2. As she lay in the shallows, the waves softly caressed

3. The traffic noises argued long into the night until

Example: A pessimist's blood type is always B-

Example: ring – marriage flag – country’s

Example: “I have to have this operation. It isn't

• E.g. I was over the moon.

1. It's raining cats and dogs.

2. I think you're pulling my leg.

3. We need to get this show on the road.

4. That assignment was a piece of cake.

5. You wouldn't want to jump the gun.

6. It only happens once in a blue moon.

Analysis 7. The ball is in your court.

You might also like