“’’’Figure of speech” refers to the speech or expression which carry the picture of something to the people. There are many figures of speech in English Language but I would like to treat only the commonest ones.
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SIMILE
This is a direct comparison between two essentially unlike things. Simile are introduced by ‘like’ and ‘as’. Example: as gentle as a dove.
He fought like a lion.
She ate like a wolf because she was hungry.
An cunning as a fax. Etc.
METEPHOR
It is a simile reduced or compressed into a shorter form. Example:
* He is the pillar of strength for his family.
* She is a Gorilla.
PERSONFICATION
It refers to a figure of speech I which abstraction or in animal object are endowed with human qualities. Example
* Night spread her night wing on me.
* Hunger is shivering on the road.
Hyperbole
It is gross or deliberate exaggeration. Example
* I saw a man who is taller than an Iroko tree
* I drank five bucket of water yesterday.
ONOMATOPEA
It is used when the situation or expression can be understood from the sound heard or produced. The noise which many animals make is called onomatopoeia. Examples
The charter of a monkey
The bark of a dog.
The perr of a cat.
The roar of a lion
The sound made by object are called onomatopoeia. E.g.
The clapping of water
The booming of gun
The banging of door
The jingle of coins etc.
EUPHEMISM
This is the opposite of hyperbole. When the truth is disagreeable (unpleasant) euphemism Endeavour to make it pleasing. E.g.
(i) She has kicked the bucket (meaning dead)
(ii) He is at eat (meaning he is dead)
(iii) She has put to bed (she has just born a new baby)
See also
FORMAL AND INFORMATION LETTERS