Figures of speech are literary devices that use words in non-literal or imaginative ways to add emphasis, clarity, or vivid imagery to writing. They are the building blocks of expressive language.
In this post, we invite you on a linguistic journey through a comprehensive list of figures of speech.
Table of Contents
Understanding Figures of Speech
Figures of speech—also called stylistic or rhetorical devices—are techniques that give language depth and expressiveness. They often involve using words in non-literal or imaginative ways to convey emotions, ideas, or vivid imagery.
Common examples include metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, and alliteration.
Explore the comprehensive list below to deepen your understanding of how language can be used creatively and effectively.
Explore Our Free List of Figures of Speech
Explore the rich tapestry of expressive language with this comprehensive list of figures of speech. These linguistic devices add depth and flair to writers’ and language enthusiasts’ communication.
Below is a compilation of figures of speech along with a brief overview of their roles in literature.
List Of Figures Of Speech
- Accumulation
- Adjunction
- Adnomination
- Alliteration
- Allusion
- Anaphora
- Antanaclasis
- Anticlimax
- Antiphrasis
- Antithesis
- Apostrophe
- Assonance
- Cataphora
- Chiasmus
- Climax
- Dysphemism
- Ellipsis (Elliptical Construction)
- Epigram
- Epiphora (Epistrophe)
- Euphemism
- Hyperbole
- Hypophora
- Irony
- Litotes
- Merism
- Metalepsis
- Metaphor
- Metonymy
- Oxymoron
- Paradox
- Personification
- Puns
- Simile
- Synecdoche
- Tautology
- Understatement
- Zeugma and Syllepsis
Categories of Figures of Speech
Figures of speech can be grouped into two broad categories: tropes and schemes. Understanding this distinction helps clarify how these devices function in language.
- Tropes involve a shift in the meaning of words. They use figurative language to suggest something beyond the literal interpretation, often to evoke emotion or create vivid imagery.
- Schemes involve a change in the structure or pattern of words, focusing on the arrangement of sounds, syntax, or rhythm to produce a stylistic effect.
Let’s take a closer look at what sets these two categories apart.
Scheme vs. Trope
Schemes and tropes are two distinct categories of figures of speech, each serving different purposes in language.
- Schemes: Schemes involve changes in the standard word order or structure of a sentence to create a noticeable deviation from the ordinary arrangement of words.
- Purpose: The primary aim of schemes is to bring attention to the expression itself, often enhancing the rhythm or emphasis within a sentence.
- Example: Anaphora involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. For instance, “I have a dream. I have a dream.”
- Tropes: Tropes involve a shift from the literal meaning of a word or phrase to convey an idea in a way that goes beyond the ordinary or expected use of language.
- Purpose: Tropes add layers of meaning by using words in a figurative sense, allowing for creative expression and evoking imagery or emotions.
- Example: Metaphor is a trope, where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. For example, “Time is a thief.”
Figures of Speech vs. Stylistic Devices
Figures of speech are a type of stylistic device, but not all stylistic devices are figures of speech. It’s important to understand this distinction when analyzing or teaching literary techniques.
- Figures of speech focus on creative or figurative use of language—like metaphors, similes, and hyperbole—to add meaning, emotion, or imagery.
- Stylistic devices, on the other hand, cover a wider range of tools used by writers to shape the form and tone of their writing.
These broader techniques include elements such as:
- Rhythm – the flow or beat of language,
- Tone – the author’s attitude toward the subject,
- Diction – word choice and style,
- Syntax – sentence structure.
Together, figures of speech and other stylistic devices contribute to the aesthetic quality, emotional resonance, and rhetorical power of a text.
Why are Figures of Speech Used in Writing?
Figures of speech are used in writing for several reasons:
- Expressiveness: Figures of speech add depth and expressiveness to language, making the writing more engaging and vivid.
- Imagery: They help create mental images in the reader’s mind, enhancing the overall visual and sensory experience of the text.
- Emphasis: Figures of speech can highlight key points, making certain ideas or emotions stand out and resonate with the reader.
- Creativity: They allow writers to play with language, fostering creativity and originality in expression.
- Rhetorical Impact: Figures of speech are often employed for rhetorical effect, influencing the emotions or persuading the reader more effectively.
- Clarity: In some cases, figures of speech can simplify complex ideas or make abstract concepts more relatable, contributing to better understanding.
- Aesthetic Appeal: They contribute to the overall aesthetic quality of the writing, making it more enjoyable and memorable.
In essence, figures of speech serve as powerful tools that writers use to infuse their work with richness, meaning, and a heightened level of communication.
Top 10 Most Common Figures of Speech (with Examples)
Discover the ten most frequently used figures of speech in English. Each entry includes a brief definition and a clear example to help you understand how these devices enhance language and expression.
TOP 10 Figures Of Speech
| Figures of Speech | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | A comparison using “like” or “as” to highlight similarities. | Brave as a lion. |
| Metaphor | Stating that one thing is another, creating a direct comparison. | Time is a thief. |
| Personification | Assigning human qualities or attributes to non-human entities. | The wind whispered through the trees. |
| Hyperbole | Exaggerating for emphasis or effect. | I’ve told you a million times. |
| Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. | Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. |
| Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words. | The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. |
| Consonance | Repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words. | Mike likes his new bike. |
| Onomatopoeia | Words imitating or resembling the sound they describe. | Buzz, bang, hiss. |
| Oxymoron | A combination of contradictory or opposite words. | Deafening silence. |
| Irony | Saying one thing while meaning the opposite for emphasis. | The firefighter’s house burned down. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, this compilation is a gateway to the captivating topic of figures of speech. Use this guide as a reference in your writing or teaching to bring clarity, emotion, and color to your language.
Other Resources:
In addition to the above list of figures of speech, explore additional language resources for grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and reading to enhance your linguistic journey.