FIGURE OF SPEECH

1. Simile- A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to compare one object or idea with another to
suggest they are alike.
2. Metaphor- used to compare two unlike things by claiming that one thing is another.
3. Personification- a method of assigning human characteristics to any non-human object or
entity.
4. Hyperbole- use of extreme exaggeration or extravagant statements, meant to create a strong
impression, as well as to evoke or indicate strong feelings.
5. Irony- is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is
different from the actual meaning of the words.
6. Onomatopoeia- is defined as a word which imitates the natural sounds of a thing.
7. Oxymoron- is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect.
8. Allusion- is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural,
literary or political significance.
9. Idiom- refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words.
10. Imagery- means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way
that it appeals to our physical senses.
11. Symbolism- is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic
meanings that are different from their literal sense.
12. Alliteration- is a stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant
sound, occur close together in a series.
13. Assonance- takes place when two or more words, close to one another repeat the same vowel
sound, but start with different consonant sounds.
14. Dissonance- is opposite of assonance, which is a use of inharmonious sounds.
15. Consonance- refers to repetitive sounds produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase.
16. Metonymy- is a figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something
else with which it is closely associated.
17. Synecdoche- is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole, or it may use
a whole to represent a part.
18. Sarcasm- is derived from the Greek word sarkazein, which means “tear flesh,” or “grind the
teeth.” Somehow, in simple words it means to speak bitterly.
19. Litotes- employs an understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, a positive
statement expressed by negating its opposite expressions.
20. Pun- is a play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the
similar sense or sound of different words.
21. Tautology- is the repetitive use of phrases or words that have similar meanings. In simple words,
it is expressing the same thing, an idea, or saying, two or more times.
22. Anaphora- the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic
effect.
23. Cataphora- Refers to a figure of speech where an earlier expression refers to or describes a
forward expression. Cataphora is the opposite of anaphora, a reference forward as opposed to
backward in the discourse.
24. Cliché- refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original
meaning or novelty.
25. Apostrophe- speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an
inanimate object.
26. Antithesis- is a figure of speech which refers to the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting
ideas.
27. Epigram is a rhetorical device that is a memorable, brief, interesting, and surprising satirical
statement.
28. Euphemism- is the use of agreeable or inoffensive words to replace rude or offensive ones.
29. Refrain- refers simply to any phrase or sentence is regularly repeated.
30. Epistrophe- is the repetition of the same word or words at the end of successive phrases,
clauses or sentences.
31. Paradox- Seeming contradiction.
32. Antimetabole- is a figure of speech in which a phrase is repeated, but with the order of words
reversed.
33. Chiasmus- is a figure of speech in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are
repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form.
34. Anecdote- is a very short story that is significant to the topic at hand; usually adding personal
knowledge or experience to the topic.
35. Allegory- is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described in terms of
characters, figures, and events.
36. Anticlimax- is the arrangement of a series of words, phrases, or clauses in order of decreasing
importance.
37. Climax- is a figure of speech in which words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of
increasing importance.
38. Understatement- a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation
seem less important or serious than it is.
39. Metaplesis- is a figure of speech in which reference is made to something by means of another
thing that is remotely related to it, either through a causal relationship, or through another figure
of speech.
40. Merism- is a figure of speech by which something is referred to by a conventional phrase that
enumerates several of its constituents or traits.
41. Ellipsis- refers to the omission of a word or words. It refers to constructions in which words are
left out of a sentence but the sentence can still be understood.
42. Dysphemism- refers to the use of a harsh, more offensive word instead of one considered less
harsh. Dysphemisms are generally used to shock or offend.
43. Antiphrasis- a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to mean the opposite of its
normal meaning to create ironic humorous effect.
44. Antaclasis- it is a rhetorical device in which a word is repeated and whose meaning changes in
the second instance. Antaclasis is a common type of pun.
45. Bathos- is the act of a writer or a poet falling into inconsequential and absurd metaphors,
descriptions, or ideas in an effort to be increasingly emotional or passionate.
46. Satire- is used in many works of literature to show foolishness or vice in humans, organizations,
or even governments - it uses sarcasm, ridicule, or irony.
47. Zeugma- two words linked to another, only one appropriately.
48. Synonymia- repeating synonyms for amplification.
49. Cacophony- harsh combination of words.
50. Antistrophe- repeating the final word in successive phrases.

SUBMITTED BY: MAUREEN P. COMBALICER

SUBMITTED TO: SIR. PATRECK LLANTINO