The Top 20 Figures of Speech

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in a distinctive way. Though there are hundreds of figures of speech,  here well focus on 20 top examples. Youll probably remember many of these terms from your English classes. Figurative language is often associated with literature and with poetry in particular. Whether were conscious of it or not, we use figures of speech every day in our own writing and conversations. For example, common expressions such as falling in love, racking our brains, and climbing the ladder of success are all metaphors—the most pervasive figure of all. Likewise, we rely on similes when making explicit comparisons (light as a feather) and hyperbole to emphasize a point (Im starving!). Did You Know? Figures of speech are  also known as  figures of rhetoric, figures of style, rhetorical figures,  figurative language,  and  schemes. 1:15 Watch Now: Common Figures of Speech Explained Top 20 Figures of Speech Using original figures of speech in our writing is a way to convey meanings in fresh, unexpected ways. They can help our readers understand and stay interested in what we have to say.   1.  Alliteration: The repetition of an initial consonant sound. Example: She sells seashells by the seashore. 2. Anaphora: The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses. Example: Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time on the wrong day.   3. Antithesis: The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases. Example: As Abraham Lincoln said, Folks who have no vices have very few virtues. 4.  Apostrophe: Directly addressing a nonexistent person or an inanimate object as though it were a living being. Example: Oh, you stupid car, you never work when I need you to, Bert sighed. 5. Assonance: Identity or similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words. Example: How now, brown cow? 6. Chiasmus: A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed. Example: The famous chef said people should live to eat, not eat to live. 7. Euphemism: The substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit.  Example: Were teaching our toddler how to go potty, Bob said. 8.  Hyperbole: An extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect. Example: I have a ton of things to do when I get home. 9.  Irony: The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. Also, a  statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea. Example: Oh, I love spending big bucks, said my dad, a notorious penny pincher. 10.  Litotes: A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. Example: A million dollars is no small chunk of change. 11.  Metaphor: An implied comparison between two dissimilar things that have something in common. Example: All the worlds a stage. 12.  Metonymy: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated; also, the rhetorical strategy of describing something indirectly by referring to things around it. Example: That stuffed suit with the briefcase is a poor excuse for a salesman, the manager said angrily. 13.  Onomatopoeia: The use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. Example: The clap of thunder went bang and scared my poor dog. 14.  Oxymoron: A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side. Example:  He popped the jumbo shrimp in his mouth. 15.  Paradox: A statement that appears to contradict itself. Example: This is the beginning of the end, said Eeyore, always the pessimist. 16. Personification: A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with human qualities or abilities. Example: That kitchen knife will take a bite out of your hand if you dont handle it safely. 17.  Pun: ​A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words. Example: Jessie looked up from her breakfast and said, A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat. 18.  Simile: A stated comparison (usually formed with like or as) between two fundamentally dissimilar things that have certain qualities in common. Example: Roberto was white as a sheet after he walked out of the horror movie. 19.  Synecdoche: A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole. Example: Tina is learning her ABCs in preschool. 20. Understatement: A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. Example: You could say Babe Ruth was a decent ballplayer, the reporter said with a wink.

Internet A Powerful Resource For Web Users Everywhere

Introduction to Online Anonymity Anonymity is a powerful resource for web-users everywhere. It is how content creators learn to make top quality content. It can be a way to confess your feelings for someone-without actually telling them. You can share secrets and not be ashamed. When it is used as a platform of limitless self-expression – it is truly a good thing. The internet is home for many of us. Just about every single American person accesses the internet in some form. One of the largest uses is social media. Social media is where people use the factor of anonymity to express themselves. With so many users online, there is a likelihood that one may be confronted by someone known as an â€Å"internet troll†. These users use anonymity†¦show more content†¦With an increasingly conservative society all across the globe, many people feel as if they are not able to express their opinions. And, in some cases, it can even be dangerous to make their thoughts and opinions known. Online anonymity is essentially a gate way for people to avoid shame and harassment for their personal beliefs and values. It is good for people to come out and express their controversial or radical beliefs so that they are better able to understand how others react to it (Rigby). Say, a person believed that all dogs should be made into hamburgers instead of pets. And, this person shares this thought on an online forum –they could be exposed to someone who can explain to them how much dogs matter to some people; that dogs are friends not food. Of course, in a more realistic sens e this hypothetical online exchange could be about something that really matters in the world. The point is clear – anonymity is an absolute sure-fire way for the freedom of expression to be properly executed (Rigby). Having the freedom to express oneself is so important to the wellbeing of all humans. Expressive writing is one of the most efficient ways for humans to work through their most intense emotions—like anger. Expressing the emotions that cause us the most distress has a great ability to positively affect one’s mental health (McGreal). Freedom of Speech People should beShow MoreRelatedA Project On Capstone Project1039 Words   |  5 Pagesand security policy settings. Now what are security policies? Security policy settings in Microsoft could be used as part of all of our security implementation to make sure and to secure domain controllers, servers, client computers, and other resources in the whole computer world. One of the security applications in Microsoft is security compliance manager what is that? 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Analysis Of Ethical Ideologies By Jeremy Bentham - 1748 Words

Analysis of Ethical Ideologies Throughout the ages, philosophers have debated among one another over the issue of morality. What determines the correct course of action to take when faced with a difficult dilemma? Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher of morality, came up with his own answer to this question. He determined that the correct course of action is always whichever one will satisfy the greatest amount of people. Bentham refers to this satisfaction as utility. Based on this idea, he constructed a policy of utilitarianism. In the ideal utilitarian community, every action taken is for the sole purpose of increasing the happiness of the citizens. This principle of utility disregards the unhappiness of the minority citizens in order to†¦show more content†¦Michael Sandel offers an analysis of the utilitarian concept in his book, Justice. In this book, Sandel offers an example of a situation that compares the two versions of utilitarianism: in a community, a large group of peop le is protesting against a certain religion that a smaller portion of that community practices. In this situation, Bentham would advocate abolishing that religion in order to enhance utility. However, Mill would argue that in the long run, it would be harmful towards that community to suppress any attempts of individuality. It would be a wiser course of action to respect the individual liberties of each person. Although Bentham’s policy is more consistent because it has a sturdier moral basis, Mill’s version of utilitarianism is more humane because it incorporates the aspect of individual liberties. Altogether, both ideas focus on the welfare of the society as a whole. The Libertarian theory is entirely based upon emphasizing the individual liberties of the people. The main policy of libertarianism is similar to John Mill’s central principle: everyone has the right to do what they desire with the resources they have, given that they respect the same rights of other people. Additionally, this policy rejects the authority of the government concerning matters of morality and taxation. According to Robert Nozick, a political philosopher, governmental power should be strictly â€Å"limited to

Life Of Arthur Conan Doyle Essay Example For Students

Life Of Arthur Conan Doyle Essay Life of Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSir Arthur Conan Doyle, a British physician who later devoted his life to writing,has become one of the most popular and widespread authors and creators of all time. Doyles early childhood years to his later years in life have allowed him to observe manysophisticated yet adventurous paths, in which have inspired him greatly to become aninfluence on spiritualistic views as an author and crusader. His interests andachievements in medicine, politics, and spiritualism have allowed him to create theiridescent master detective of fiction, Sherlock Holmes. His creation of Sherlock Holmesin his mystery novels has brought him fame amongst many people, even so SherlockHolmes may be one of the most popular and recognized characters of English Literature. On May 22nd, 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was born at Picardy Place, inEdinburgh, Scotland. His father, Charles, was an architect-clerk at the GovernmentOffice of Works in Edinburgh where he married Mary Foley in1855. Arthur had threesisters and one brother, with quite a large family occasionally times got hard as moneygrew scarce, fortunately his father sold paintings on the side to earn extra money (Jaffe3). When Arthur Doyle was seven years old he was sent to school and for two yearshe was toughened by the schoolmaster and his punishments of lacerations (Pearson 2). The schoolmaster wasnt the only thing that toughened him, he was also used to getting inquarrels with other children and became quite a fighter, especially if he saw a bullypicking on someone smaller and weaker (Pearson 3). Along with his ruggedcharacteristics, young Arthur loved to read. He found himself caught up in books ofaction and adventure, his favorite one being Scalp Hunters by Mayne Reid which he readnumerous times. Arthur was also somewhat interested in poetry and he showed it bylearning Macaulays Lay of Horatius by heart. At the age of nine, Arthur went to Hodderthe preparatory school for Stonyhurst College, which also was located in Edinburgh(Jaffe 8). On a journey to Preston, in Lancashire, he started to feel lonely andexperienced homesickness. When he arrived at Preston, he joined a group of other kidsand was driven the remaining twelve miles with a Jesuit, a follower of Jesus in RomanCatholicism. He stayed at Hodder for two years, where he was partially happy, then theFranco-German War had arisen and gave him something to dream about during hislessons. He would find himself daydreaming about fascinating adventures to escape hisregular days of studies which constantly bored him (Pearson 4). He then went on to Stonyhurst College, where he found himself suffering inclasses of Latin, Greek, and Algebra. Near the end of his life Arthur wrote I can saywith truth that my Latin and Greek have been little use to me in life, and that mymathematics have been no use at all.(Carr 10) Doyle may not have enjoyed Latin orAlgebra, on the other hand he seemed to pick up reading and writing skills automatically . The Jesuits who were guarding and keeping Doyle and the boys in order believed thatdry knowledge could only be absorbed with dry food, so the nourishment they receivedwas quite unappetizing (Jaffe 16). The discipline they received was pretty brutal,because if the demands for religion were unsatisfied, and if the young mens behavior wasnot well, the Jesuits applied a more encouraging correction. Doyle remembers thispunishment quite well, through his own experience, he describes it as the instrument ofcorrection, it was a piece of India-rubber of the shape and size of a thick boot sole.Oneblow of this instrument, delivered with intent, would cause the palm of the hand to swellup and change color. Arthur had wondered if any other boys had endured more of thebrutal punishment than he. Doyle wrote I went out of my way to do really mischievousand outrageous things simply to show that my spirit was unbroken. (Pearson 5) Duringhis stay at the college, Doyle wrote much verse that he though t was nothing but thisshowed to everyone else that he had a literary gift. He was also encouraged to tell storiesto the other boys sitting in a circle, his favorite stories talking about murders andmysteries, and he was able to captivate his audiences with his ability. Upon his last year,he edited the College magazine, and amazed everyone by taking honors in the LondonMatric before he left Stonyhurst at the age of sixteen (Carr 13). We will write a custom essay on Life Of Arthur Conan Doyle specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page One Of This Centurys Icons In Photography Henri-Cartier Bresson, Thou EssaySir Arthur Conan Doyle literary works have been fully influenced throughout hisentire life. From his early childhood of adventure and wonder, to his schooling atStonyhurst and Edinburgh, to all the people he has met, including the most important Dr. Bell who was later made into Sherlock Holmes in his writing. His unique ability tocreate a living character and also a living author as Dr. John H. Watson from which viewthe mysteries are told will leave him a permanent mark in English Literature. Works ConsultedCarr, John Dickson. The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. New York: Harper ; Brothers, 1949. Costello, Peter. The Real World of Sherlock Holmes. New York: Carroll ; Graf Publishers Inc., 1991. Harrison, Michael. In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes. New York: Drake Publishers,1972. Higham, Charles. The Aventures of Conan Doyle. New York, Norton Publishers, 1976. Jaffe, Jacqueline A. Arthur Conan Doyle. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1987. Keating, H.R.F. Sherlock Holmes/The Man and His World. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1979. Pearson, Hesketh. Conan Doyle/His Life and Art. New York: Taplinger Publishing Co.,1977. Rosenberg, Samuel. Naked is the Best Disguise:The Death and Ressurection of Sherlock Holmes. London: Arlington Books, 1975. Wood, James Playsted. The Man who Hated Sherlock Holmes; A Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. New York: Pantheon Books, 1965. Category: English