Figures of Speech
Alliteration Use of two or more words with the same initial letters: I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers (Robert Herrick, Argument of his Book)
Antithesis Placing together of sharply contrasting ideas: They died that we might live.
Aphorism Terse, witty, pointed statement on a general principle: Anybody who hates children and dogs can't be all bad (W. C. Fields).
Bathos Sudden descent into the rediculous, often for comic effect: He's a gentleman: look at his boots. (George Bernard Shaw).
Climax Series of statements in rising order of intensity: I came. I saw. I conquered. (Julius Cæsar).
Euphemism Polite or inoffensive way of saying something unpleasant: Euphemisms such as 'slumber room'.... abound in the funeral business. (Jessica Mitford).
Hyperbole Exaggerated statement used for emphasis: A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse! (William Shakespeare, Richard III ).
Innuendo Indirect or Subtle implication, usually unpleasant: I'll be delighted to attend his funeral.
Irony Saying of one thing but meaning the opposite: But Brutus is an honourable man. (William Shakespeare Julius Cæsar).
Litotes An ironical understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its opposite: This is no small problem.
Metaphor Figure of speech in which something, or someone, is said to be that which it only resembles: When it comes to fighting, he's a tiger!
Oxymoron Figure of speech in which opposites are combined for effect: Faith unfaithfully kept him falsely true. (Tennyson).
Simile Figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another, usually with the word 'like' or 'as': When the evening is spread out against the sky, Like a patient etherised upon a table. (T. S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock).
Zeugma Using the same word, in different senses, to govern two or more other words: He took his leave and my umbrella.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page