Figures of Speech Mrs Redelinghuys

Apostrophe An inanimate object, a person who is no longer living or an abstract idea is addressed or spoken to as if it were a human or alive.

Apostrophe Inanimate object: “Oh sun, with your rays of delight” A person who is no longer living: “Oh Shakespeare, if you could see your Globe Theatre rebuilt!” Abstract idea: “Where, o death, thy sting? Where, o death, thy victory?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55

Antithesis Compares or contradicts ideas or statements within a sentence. “He’s a mouse in stature, but a lion in strength”

Antithesis

Oxymoron Places two seemingly contradictory words next to each other. On analysis, these words evoke a powerful image.

Oxymoron

Paradox A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement which, when analysed, is found to be true. It is, in fact, an extended oxymoron, BUT the opposites are NOT next to each other – they are rather found in the same sentence.

Paradox “You will kill him with your kindness” “She is only happy when she has something to worry about”

Irony Implies the opposite of what is said – the intention is for the opposite to be understood. The tone often tempers or conveys this meaning. Irony also involves a situation in which something is happening that ought not be happening.

Irony

Irony

Sarcasm Like irony, sarcasm occurs when one thing is said, but something else is intended or understood. HOWEVER, sarcasm is used with the express purpose of hurting, insulting or humiliating.

Sarcasm

Sarcasm “Well, aren’t you clever!” “You must have worked very hard to be at the bottom of the class!”

Hyperbole Hyperbole is an over-exaggeration / gross exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally. It aims to create humour or to emphasise a point.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole

Litotes It uses a negative + an opposite to understate what is intended. “He is no Einstein”. – He is academically weak.

Litotes

Euphemism It expresses an unpleasant or uncomfortable situation in a more sensitive, kind and tactful manner. The purpose is to soften the blow, protect the feelings or to be politically correct.

Euphemism “He is singing with the angels now” – he is dead “Belinda is an independent, energetic girl” – she is disobedient and uncontrollable

Euphemism

Pun A pun is a clever play on words. The double meaning is used to convey humour.

Pun

Pun

Pun

Pun

Pun

Synecdoche A part is used for a whole, or a whole is used for a part. “Australia won the cricket” – It was the team, not the country that won.

Synecdoche

Metonymy Something associated with the object represents the object.

Metonymy

Malapropism The unintentional use of incorrect, similar sounding words. “The cannonballs ate the missionaries” (cannibals)

Malapropism

Spoonerism Transposition or mixing up of the initial sounds of spoken words. “My flattery is bat” (my battery is flat) “Look at the flutterby!” (Look at the butterfly)