Figures of speech

Meaning of a figure of speech

A figure of speech is a statement which cannot be understood within the context in which it is used. It is a deliberate style employ in speech or writing. A figure of speech is a peculiar use of imaginative word to enhancing a cosmetic result. Here, words are used out of their literal meaning and it could be used to decorate or beautify a piece of writing or speech. It could be used further to enlarge, broaden, compress or condense statements, description and ideas.

Types of figures of speech

• Simile: This is a figure of trope in which two things of identical or similar qualities are directly compared by using the words "like" and "as". Note that the two things under comparison must not be the same in all aspects but should be similar. For examples, Moses is as loyal as an apostle, your love is like the fall of rains, are all literal comparison.
• Metaphor: This is a trope wherein we replace one thing with another thing. The difference lies in the fact that in simile, we say that one thing is "like" another but in metaphor we say that it is "exactly" that thing. In other words, one thing is compared to another but the words "as" and "like" are omitted. It is a compressed or condensed simile. When we say, the boy is a Maradona, we mean he play as good as Maradona.
  Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth:
  Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
  That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
  And then is heard no more.
  What he did is to compare the life of man with a shadow, showing how ephemeral life is, without using "like" and "as". In that case, he sounded metaphoric. Thus to say "you viper" is a metaphor because the person addressed, is compared to a viper. Remember also that metaphor has the same effect as simile, that is, it makes a point vivid and clear.
• Irony: When somebody or a writer says one thing but means something quite different, he is said to be ironical. Irony speaks words of praise when, in truth, it is blaming. In other words, we say the opposite of what we mean but speak in such a way that our real meaning is understood. For instance, the best way to avoid being punished by my teacher is to disobey him or despite he stabbed his brother doesn't means he is a bad boy.
• Sarcasm: This is specie of Irony but involves a caustic or bitter comment which is calculated to wound the feelings of a person. In fact, it is an openly expressed disgust. It is also an open irony but remark or comment is made in scorn or contempt. It can also be described as a bitter sneer or a jibe. In short, the main aim of sarcastic remark is to impose pain by the use of bitter words. It the opposite of what is meant which is said to make fun of a person or to inflict pain on somebody. It is a bitter and heavy use of apparent praise for actual dispraise. E.g. Yes Mr. Epke, you are a righteous man.
• Innuendo: This figure of speech belongs to the same class with irony and sarcasm but has a different meaning. Thus, it is a clever way of passing unpleasant comment. Here the speaker could select his words in such a manner that the listener understands the underlying meaning. In some case innuendo uses "but" to negate any good remark. E.g. Kayode is a rich man but he is mean; Judas is considerably very honest, especially with matters unconnected with money; and Romeo is a man with high thought but loose control when he sees woman.
• Personification: This figure means to symbolise or represent a thing or an abstract as having human characteristics. In this case, some ideas are expressed as if, they are living people with human qualities. When one talks of non-living objects like stone, tree, bone, house or abstract qualities like death, love, air, hatred, etc as though they are human beings, then the person is using personification. E.g. Wisdom and spirit of the universe! Thou soul, that art the eternity of thought. Death, where is thy sting? The night had grown older. The moon peeped through the sky and smiled at the children playing in the sand.
• Apostrophe: This is a figure of speech in which somebody addresses or talks to something that is not alive, as though, it is listening to him/her closely. It is also calling upon somebody who is physically absent as if the person is present. Apostrophe is recognised by the use of mark of exclamation, Oh? Ah! Alas! Etc. It has an emotional feeling like personification and it appeal to the sense of sight and vision. "Oh! This motor, why do you treat me like this? "Motor" here is a mere nomenclature - an idea which has no ear. Another example is: Death! Look at what you have done! Note that in apostrophe there is a direct address which is more striking with deeper and clearer emotional effects, in personification, there is no direct address.
• Antithesis: This is trope where a word or an idea is placed to contrast with the opposite word or idea in the same statement. The idea is contrasted for emphasis. The essence of placing the statement in its opposite is to ensure a balanced view and to intensify or heighten the contrast. The figure of speech is idiomatic. E.g. More haste, less speed. Poverty is the fruit of all goodness. United we stand, divided we fall. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
• Oxymoron: Here, two opposing words are placed together to create a sharp contrast with the effect of creating surprise and shock and arousing of interest of the reader. It is usually not a full sentence like an irony, innuendo, anti-thesis, paradox but it in most cases, a phrase that contains two or more words. E.g. O what a beautiful accident. Painful laughter. Bitter smile.
• Paradox: This figure of speech will show a completely untrue, contradictory, incredible, silly, absurd and ridiculous meaning but a closer and more detailed examination would reveal the truism of the statement. E.g. Attack is the best form of defence. Water is everywhere, but there is no water to drink. I must be cruel in order to be kind. Fools talk wisely.
• Hyperbole: Hyperbole makes something smaller sound bigger. It is the figure which produces a clear picture or impression by employing obvious and extravagant exaggeration to drive an idea home. This figure has the effect of creating over-statements and over-blowing of situations of things. E.g. His mouth can accommodate elephant's head. Bunmi's teeth are sharper than razor. The wine drunk at the party is enough to float a ship. I will dash you my mind, if I win your love.
• Litotes or Meiosis: This is the opposite of hyperbole. It is an understatement used for the purposes of emphasis. It has the effect of underestimating the importance of a person or a thing. When somebody makes a positive statement by putting it in a negative way, the person is using a litotes. Such words like "no" or "not" are employed in the usage of this figure. E.g. No! you are not bad. It is no laughing matter. I do not fear death, more than I fear sickness.
• Epigram: Is a figure of speech which involves both antithesis and paradox and is always pointed, concise, amusing, short, witty, emphatic and contains some proverbial wisdom, sometimes involving an apparent contradiction and used to express ideas in a memorable and brief manner. E.g. The more you look, the less you see. He who will save his life must first lose it. The child is the father of the man. He who laughs last, laughs best.

How long we them remained awful
Because exposure has denied you its mirth?
Will you like to go back to the village and become a rustic farmer?

Or to better stay and become an accountant, lawyer, doctor
Even a businesswoman.

Which one is your choice?
Life here needs courage and endurance.

Figure of Speech

• Chiasmus: In this rhetorical figure, a contrast is achieved by reversal of clauses. It is a reversal of words by a corresponding phrases occurring in a sentence. E.g. Do not live to eat, but eat to live. Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Dangerous cult kills, killing is dangerous cult. Heaven is Hell, Hell is heaven.
• Hendiadys: This is figure of speech in which a sole or single idea is represented by two words connected by a conjunction. E.g. This book is a good medicine and panacea for curing my defects in literature. Your suggestion is a balm and a solution to the problem.
• Syllepsis: This figure bears a close resemblance with hendiadys but it means a figure by which a word performs a duty in a sentence to two or more words but has a different sense in relation to each. Here, there is a usage of one word in two different senses. E.g. The pretty girl I met at the trade fair stole my purse and my wrist watch.
• Eulogy: This figure contains or gives high praise. It is used to extol somebody's qualities. This also called Panegyrist. E.g. Nelson Mandela is a man of great erudition, in fact, he is my idol. Sola's decency makes her the most outstanding lady in the city. Femi's smiles shine like the twilight.
• Prolepsis: This is a rhetorical figure of anticipation. In this case, one may put something which has not happened as if it has already taken place and passed. You are in anticipation of a result yet you talk as though the result are expecting has already come out. Under this circumstance, one may be building a castle in the air before the result of his deed or hope is realised. E.g. You are challenging me! You are finished, dead and buried. Having studied very hard for the forth-coming examination, I have got distinction in all my subjects.
• Antonomasia: This figure was derived from Greek word "Onoma" (a name), somebody's office or frame is attached to another person of a corresponding office or frame, place or thing (eg) a great warrior or conqueror can be called a Napoleon, who is reputed for such feat. It has been described as an advanced for of metaphor. This figure makes use of well-known person, place or event to represent some attributes in a similar object. E.g. Wole Soyinka is the African, Shakespeare. Chinua Achebe is the African, Daniel Defoe.