Figures of Speech: Metaphor & Simile

• Figures of speech are literary devices that use language in a non-literal or unusual way to create a vivid effect
• Figures of speech add color, emphasis, and depth to writing, making it more engaging and memorable
• Figures of speech are used in literature, poetry, speeches, and everyday conversation

Metaphor

• A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as"
• It asserts that one thing is another thing, implying a similarity between them
• Metaphors create a strong image or idea by transferring qualities from one thing to another
• Example: "The world is a stage" (William Shakespeare) implies life is a performance

Simile

• A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as"
• Similes explicitly state the comparison, making the similarity clear
• Similes help to clarify and emphasize a particular quality shared by the two things being compared
• Example: "She is as brave as a lion" (bravery is the shared quality)

Personification

• Personification is a figure of speech where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities or abilities
• It allows writers to create vivid imagery and to relate to non-human entities in a more meaningful way
• Personification can evoke emotions and make descriptions more relatable
• Example: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees" (wind is given the human ability to whisper)

Hyperbole

• Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect
• It is not meant to be taken literally; instead, it is used to create humor, intensity, or to make a point
• Hyperbole can amplify emotions or situations, making them seem larger than life
• Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" (exaggerates the feeling of hunger)

Alliteration

• Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words
• It creates a musical or rhythmic effect, making the phrase more memorable and pleasing to the ear
• Alliteration is commonly used in poetry, advertising, and tongue twisters
• Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" (repetition of the 'p' sound)