Figurative Languages or Figures of Speech

A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is figurative language in the form of a single word or phrase. It can be a special repetition, arrangement or omission of words with literal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words.
In truth, there are a wealth of these literary tools in the English language. But, let's start out by exploring some of the most common figure of speech examples.
For example,
Synecdoche:
Synecdoche occurs when a part is represented by the whole or, conversely, the whole is represented by the part.

Examples include:

Wheels - a car

The police - one policeman

Plastic - credit cards

Figurative language is often associated with literature and with poetry in particular. Whether we're conscious of it or not, we use figures of speech every day in our own writing and conversations.
Figures of speech are also known as figures of rhetoric, figures of style, rhetorical figures, figurative language, and schemes.

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 often provide emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity.
Through the use of figures of speech, the author makes significant the insignificant, makes seem less important the overemphasized, brings colour and light, insight, understanding and clarity.
Figures of speech allow us to assess, interpret and critically analyze not only the writer's attempt, but also his or her purpose.

1. Figurative Languages

2. Literal language is when you say exactly what you mean. Here you do not make any comparison and you do not exaggerate or understate any situation! Example: Grass looks green Figurative language [figures of speech] means you do not say exactly what you mean. You do compare, exaggerate, and understate the situation. Example: The grass looks like spiky green hair !

3. Seven Types of Figurative Language [But of course there are MORE!] S imile H yperbole A lliteration M etaphor P ersonification O nomatopoeia O xymoron

4. Simile

5. Simile is a directly stated comparison between two unlike subjects. The tenor [primary subject] and vehicle [secondary subject] are connected by “like” or “as” My love is like a red, red rose . ..here love is the tenor and red rose is the vehicle

6. Purpose Similes are used in literature to make writing more vivid and powerful.  Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable.  Writers, poets, and songwriters make use of similes often to add depth and emphasize what they are trying to convey to the reader or listener . Similes can be funny, serious, mean, or creative.

7. This bag weighs a ton! I’ve told you a million times to clean up your room!

8. This exaggeration is called Hyperbole In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally . Love poetry often uses a lot of hyperbole, such as, in Thomas Campion’s “Cherry Ripe”, There is a garden in her face Where roses and white lilies grow;

9. Alliteration the repetition of the same letter or sound, especially consonant sounds….[including tongue twisters.] Miss Warren was worried when Wendy was waiting . She sells seashells by the seashore

10. Example in a poem A f lea and a f ly in a f lue Were imprisoned, so what could they do? Said the f ly, "let us f lee!" "Let us f ly!" said the f lea. So they f lew through a f law in the f lue.  - Ogden Nash

11. Think about this line. The line shows an implied comparison between two unlike subjects!

12. All those lines are examples of Metaphors! Therefore, it is a comparison in which one thing/person is said to be another. [There is no use of “like” or “as” in this kind of comparison] Origin of metaphor French  métaphore  from Classical Latin  metaphora  from Classical Greek from  metapherein ,  to carry over from  meta,  over (see meta-) +  pherein ,  to bear

13. Here the man is trying to impress the woman by comparing her to beautiful things in nature!

14. Usefulness Metaphors  allow writers and poets to express the subtlety of emotions, experiences and imageries for which no specific vocabulary prevails. Moreover, metaphorical   expressions create powerful and lasting images and ideas , they are effective at communicating both tangible and conceptual information.

15. What if a poet wants to give human characteristics to things that are not human? The angry flood waters slapped the house. The sun smiled down on us.

16. This is known as Personification Personification  is a figure of speech in which a thing – an idea or an animal – is given human attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings. Tender loving care

17. Common Examples of Personification Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t she? The wind whispered through dry grass. The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. Time and tide wait for none. The fire swallowed the entire forest.

18. Onomatopoeia T he use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound made by an object or action. Words that sound like what they mean. pow hiss tweet, tweet zoom buzz

19. Consider this line below The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves. Imagine hearing the sound of the flies [buzzing and oozing sound]

20. Oxymoron words or phrases in which contradictory or opposite terms are used together [however they make sense] act naturally adult child climb down

21. Don’t forget to Shampoo !! S imile H yperbole A lliteration M etaphor P ersonification O xymoron O nomatopoeia