A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in distinctive ways. Though there are hundreds of figures of speech here we’ll focus on some of the most common figures.
You will probably remember many of these terms from your English classes. Figurative language is often associated with literature–and with poetry in particular. But the fact is, whether we’re conscious of it or not, we use figures of speech every day in our own writing and conversations.
Following are most used figure of speech examples. XAT gives enough emphasis on this topic so read it thoroughly. I am sure that you will not face any problem while answering questions on this topic.
Please note: These are not std. definition. I have simplified them in my own words.
simile: Expressing person, object like other person objectSimple rule to identify simile is the word Like & as.
For E.g.
1) He fought like a warrior
2) Tendulkar hit that ball like a bullet
3) He is as cool as cucumber
So, note the use of word Like, and you will note the simile
Metaphor: Expressing person, object as if it is the other object
For e.g.
1) He was the warrior in the war
Oxymoron: Expressing negative view in positive way.
For. e.g.
1) My cruel aunt is very kind
2) He was serious while laughing
Hyperbole: Expressing a thought, feeling, thing in an extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect.
For e.g.
1) The ocean is dry, I can fill it with my tears
2) Don’t make a storm in tea cup
Synechdoche: a part is used to represent the whole, the whole for a part, the specific for the general, the general for the specific, or the material for the thing made from it.
Now, forget the definition.
For e.g.
1)All hands at deck - This means, every member of the crew is at deck. Every member is expressed as All hands. That means, a part as a whole.
2) Give us this day our daily bread - Here you actually asking for meal that includes roti, sabji et al. But you are asking this part as a whole (whole in this case is bread)
I will post more FOS soon, so practice it guys and make sure that you get those 4-5 question in XAT in your kitti rightway
1)All hands at deck - This means, every member of the crew is at deck. Every member is expressed as All hands. That means, a part as a whole.
2) Give us this day our daily bread - Here you actually asking for meal that includes roti, sabji et al. But you are asking this part as a whole (whole in this case is bread)
I will post more FOS soon, so practice it guys and make sure that you get those 4-5 question in XAT in your kitti rightway
Metaphor: Expressing person, object as if it is the other object
For e.g.
1) He was the warrior in the war
Oxymoron: Expressing negative view in positive way.
For. e.g.
1) My cruel aunt is very kind
2) He was serious while laughing
Hyperbole: Expressing a thought, feeling, thing in an extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect.
For e.g.
1) The ocean is dry, I can fill it with my tears
2) Don’t make a storm in tea cup
Synechdoche: a part is used to represent the whole, the whole for a part, the specific for the general, the general for the specific, or the material for the thing made from it.
Now, forget the definition.
For e.g.
1)All hands at deck - This means, every member of the crew is at deck. Every member is expressed as All hands. That means, a part as a whole.
2) Give us this day our daily bread - Here you actually asking for meal that includes roti, sabji et al. But you are asking this part as a whole (whole in this case is bread)
I will post more FOS soon, so practice it guys and make sure that you get those 4-5 question in XAT in your kitti rightway
1)All hands at deck - This means, every member of the crew is at deck. Every member is expressed as All hands. That means, a part as a whole.
2) Give us this day our daily bread - Here you actually asking for meal that includes roti, sabji et al. But you are asking this part as a whole (whole in this case is bread)
I will post more FOS soon, so practice it guys and make sure that you get those 4-5 question in XAT in your kitti rightway
One Comment
A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in distinctive ways. Though there are hundreds of figures of speech here we’ll focus on some of the most common figures.
Guys and gals, no doubt the above mentioned figures of speech are commonly used. But the one which I always liked (and still like it… the reason yuo will know soon)… It’s Aliteration. This figure of speech means the repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words. Or the use of the same consonant or vowel at beginning of each word.
For eg: - (Quite famous) She sells sea shells on the sea shore.
You see, there is a lot of ’s’ repetition. Not onnly in words but also the ’s’ sound. It is very easy to find an alliteration. Infact, whenever i was unable to find any other figure of speech in a sentence, i would end upo with alliteration; to which my Teacher used to get damm angry…
But I am sure readers, there would be certain things of your childhood or your salad days which you are able to remeber vividly even today…
The alliteration figure of speech is one such for me. Someone has rightly said “Some memories stand still in your silent times” (Oops! another alliteration for ’s’… :)… )
All the best guys and gals…
God Bless
Leave a comment!