Figure of speech definition and examples litcharts. Sam cox, none english literature, texas tech university. A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in distinctive ways. Figures of speech in english vocabulary grammar lessons. Candidate 660 the use of figures of speech as a literary device a specific mode of expression in english literature using figures of speech because if the writer has used them in excess or he has used in a wrong. Types of figures of speech with examples from literature. Word play pun a clever play on words involving the multiple meanings of an expression, or two expressions that sound similar. Figure of speech english literature most important notes. The importance of figures of speech in general, the purpose of a figure of speech is to lend texture and color to your writing. I need to look for my watch, but i dont have the time.
Figures of speech are traditionally classified into schemes, which vary the ordinary sequence or pattern of words, and tropes, where words are made to carry a meaning other than what they ordinarily signify. Andrew marvell, to his coy mistress figure of speech examples. Metaphors and similesare the two most commonly used figures of speech, but hyperbole, synecdoche, and personification are also figures of speech that are in a good writers toolbox. It can be the repetition of alliteration or the exaggeration of hyperbole to provide a dramatic effect. These can be used as a literary device within a written text in order to explain something in a more artistic sense or they can be used in english speaking. In terms of literary or rhetorical devices, it is a figure of speech used for effect or emphasis, often if trying to convey feeling or convince someone of something. When writers have a keen eye on important details in your essays such as spelling, grammar, etc. A trope uses a word in an unusual or unexpected way. Greetingcard rhymes, advertising slogans, newspaper headlines, the captions of cartoons, and the mottoes of families and institutions often use figures of speech, generally for humorous, mnemonic, or eyecatching purposes. Metaphors and similes are the two most commonly used figures of speech, but hyperbole, synecdoche, and personification are also figures of speech that are in a good writers toolbox.
Importance of figures of speech in creative writing. In this lesson, you will discover how people communicate through figures of speech. First and foremost, literature opens our eyes and makes us. In truth, there are a wealth of these literary tools in the english language. In seeking to understand the scriptures, it is important to recognize figures of speech. Almost all the figures of speech that appear in everyday speech may also be found in literature. The slippery slope is in reality a hazardous trip on mud, ice, and politics. Effect and importance of personification in literature. Whether you are conscious of it or not, you use figures of speech every. Literary devices in the importance of being earnest pun epigram an epigram is a short, witty, and sometimes contradictory statement that usually ends with an ingenious turn of thought. The world of nature is an inexhaustible storehouse of figures of speech or images as they are also called, and poets and writers have always drawn freely from this storehouse. Literary devices in the importance of being earnest by.
Thats why idioms become powerful figures of speech. Figures of speech in poetry terms flashcards quizlet. A figure of speech is a literary device in which language is used in an. Epizeuxis is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated in immediate succession, with no intervening words. Figures of speech give extra dimension to language by stimulating the imagination and evoking visual, sensual imagery. Here are just a few reasons why literature is important. Some examples of common figures of speech include the simile, metaphor, pun, personification, hyperbole, understatement, paradox and. In the play hamlet, when hamlet responds to a question about what hes reading by saying words, words, words, thats an example of epizeuxis. Schemes and tropes are figures of speech, having to do with using language in an unusual or figured way. You could say babe ruth was a decent ballplayer, the reporter said with a wink. A figure of speech is a word or words used as literary devices to evoke literary sensibility in language written or oratory as embellishments by comparison with a concept sense with concrete or abstract images,sounds in mild or mega magnitude as aesthetics in literature. Clear definition and great examples of figures of speech. In serious poetry and prose, however, their use is more fully.
This is itself a figure of speech, since figures of speech dont actually change the colors or textures on the page. It evokes comparison, heightens emphasis, and clarifies a new way of stating an idea or description. Give the importance of the use of figures of speech in. Figures have been used by poets to decorate their language and to make it more vivid and pictorial, to increase its force and effectiveness, and to communicate their meaning more lucidly and clearly. These are present in all languages, and children of all cultures develop this metaphorical awareness at home. Compares one thing to another of a different kind, and yet alike in some significant way for e. A metaphor compares two things by suggesting that one thing is another.
A figure of speech is a use of a word that diverges from its normal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it such as a metaphor, simile, or personification. Figures of speech are an essential element of clear communication. In this case, figures of speech, specifically symbol, metaphor and simile have an important role, as they include figurative meaning of words besides their literary meaning. The importance of teaching figures of speech to esl learners. The special emphasis is typically accomplished by the users conscious deviation from the strict literal sense of a word, or from the more commonly used form of word order or sentence construction. Though there are hundreds of figures of speech, below are 20 of the most common figures. Figure of speech is not only used to embellish the language, but also cause a moment of excitement when reading. Though common in use in the native language, the teaching of figures of speech plays an important role to the esl english as a second language learner. Form of hyperbole, in which a more importantsounding word is used in place of a more.
To me, however, literature serves as a gateway to learning of the past and expanding my knowledge and understanding of the world. The term is sometimes used for pathetic fallacy to refer to the attribution of feelings or thoughts to subhuman things e. Above all, a modern rhetorician would insist that the figures, like all elements of rhetoric, reflect and determine not only the conceptualizing processes of the speakers mind but also an audiences potential response. Personification is an imperative figure of speech and by applying this literary tool, the ideas, animals and objects get human qualities. Its a direct comparison between two things, and this is important, those two things must not be similar. Figures of speech are commonly identified as figurative language or metaphorical expressions. What are the main figures of speech in poetry 9 steps. This article will show you the importance of figures of speech and how to use them. A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is an intentional deviation from ordinary language. For all these reasons figures of speech are crucial means of examining the transactional nature of discourse. Explicit instruction, however, is needed for ells to. Figures of speech are literary forms frequently used. Figures of speech commonly used in literature neoenglish.
In the latter, they are usually used to compare something, give advice or create a less. Though common in use in the native language, the teaching of figures of speech plays an important role to the esl english as a second. It can be a metaphor or simile, designed to make a comparison. Give the importance of the use of figures of speech in english literature 1. Poetice devicesfigure of speechliterary devices for. An integral part of language, figures of speech are found in oral literatures, as well as in polished poetry and prose and in everyday speech. Figures of speech are a very important method of communication in our society. Literary devices, techniques and figures of speech reading passages both long and short include questions about the authors use of literary techniques and figures of speech tools authors use to convey meaning or to lend depth and richness to their writing. Figures of speech figures of speech use words to create particular visual images and sound effects. More restrictively, literature refers to writing considered to be an art form or any single writing deemed to have artistic or intellectual value, and sometimes deploys language in ways that differ from ordinary usage. In this article, symbols, metaphors and similes in george orwells animal farm were studied to find out the effect of using figures of speech. In serious poetry and prose, however, their use is more fully conscious, more artistic, and much more subtle. The term figuratively speaking derives from figurative language, just as literally speaking. The following list contains 25 common literary techniques and figures of speech.
It is rare that a hyperbole is to be taken literally. Figures of speech are formed by a set of words that come together causing alterations in the traditional syntax so to emphasise, exalt feelings or provoke an idea. Figure of speech ke sare confusion door kare up lt grade dsssb rpsc second grade rpsc first grade net english literature notes subscribe the channel important figure of speech simile figure. Why is figure of speech important in english literature. Figures of speech allow us to assess, interpret and critically analyze not only the writers attempt. Importance of figures of speech in creative writing will be able to importance of figures of speech in creative writing deliver to you a wellwritten document. The graves a fine and private place, but none, i think, do there embrace. Figure of speech definition and examples of literary terms. A figure of speech is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition.
Figurative language, such as metaphors and personification, deviates from the literal meaning of words for the sake of more interesting writing. Irony situational irony situational irony occurs when there is a discrepancy between what is. There are a wide range of figures of speech but here we want to show the essential ones used in english poerty. You will learn some different types of figures of speech. Through the use of figures of speech, the author makes significant the insignificant, makes seem less important the overemphasised, brings colour and light, insight, understanding and clarity. Used well, figures of speech greatly enhance your fiction, and can be a very economical way of getting an image or a point across, but used incorrectly, they will confuse the reader. This video lesson illustrates the common figures of speech in english, with definitions and examples from various spheres of real life as well as literature. Literature, most generically, is any body or collection of written works.
A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. Learning figures of speech, like similes, metaphors or personification in english, helps the learners to improve their understanding of the figurative aspect of the language while also exposing them to the use and understanding of cliches and slangs. Figures of speech are the uses of language to achieve special effects or meanings. They specify between different shades of meaning and give more accurate descriptions. A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is an intentional deviation from ordinary language, chosen to produce a rhetorical effect. Choose from 500 different sets of figures of speech english literature flashcards on quizlet. Learn figures of speech english literature with free interactive flashcards. Improve your writing by using figures of speech writers treasure. You will probably remember many of these terms from your english classes. Reading fiction, poetry, drama and the essay wrote.
In we underline what the most important figures of speech in poetry are. An artful deviation from the ordinary or principal signification of a word. A figure of speech is a word or phrase which is used to describe something in a nonliteral sense. Figures of speech a figure of speech expresses an idea, thought, or image with words which carry meanings beyond their literal ones. Here is keats using figures of speech to share with us the awe and wonder he feel. It, in fact, provides emphasis, clarity or freshness to expression.
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