TYPES OF FIGURES OF SPEECH

 

IRONY:  the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.

 

SIMILE:  the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning

 

METAPHOR:  A metaphor is a comparison which is not literally true. It suggests what something is like by comparing it with something else with similar characteristics.

 

After looking at these phrases in the two charts above, you may be eager to start using figures of speech in your daily conversation. But for that, you also need to know which figure of speech to use in which context. So let’s get into the details of the 15 types of figures of speech with examples so you know exactly when to use each of them.

 

PERSONIFICATION: This type of figure of speech is constructed by attributing certain human characteristics to otherwise inanimate objects. For example, you may have often heard people saying that the “wind is howling.” Look at these two popular examples to get a better idea:

 

“Opportunity knocked at his/her door.”

 

“Time flies when you’re having fun.”

 

METAPHOR: A metaphor is a comparison which is not literally true. It suggests what something is like by comparing it with something else with similar characteristics. This type of figure of speech is generally used by talking about two very different kinds of things that have a common link. Hence, the action, feature, or effect of the unrelated thing can be applied to that of the related thing, and imply a new meaning. For example:

 

“She is the apple of my eye.”

 

“The Sun is a creature of habit.”

 

SIMILE: These phrases are somewhat similar to metaphors, but are more direct than implied in their meaning. In similes, the indirectly implied meaning is replaced with the words “as” or “like.” The use of these words are to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning These words are used to make the connection between the two different words being used. For example:

 

“His response was as cold as ice.”

 

“After taking his medication, he became fit as a fiddle.”

 

ALLITERATION: These types of phrases are figures of speech that have a similar sounding consonant (non-vowel letters) at the beginning of each word. You can identify them by checking for these similarities in two to three consecutive words. Some alliteration figure of speech examples are:

 

“Claire, close your cluttered closet.”

 

“Go and gather the green leaves on the grass. Be the best in your class be learning these and more!”

 

ONOMATOPOEIA: These are rather simple yet unique figures of speech. Onomatopoeiae are words or phrases that are similar to the sounds they produce. While they may be an informal and childish way of speaking, these figures of speech can often come in handy when one is trying to be illustrious. Two popular examples are:

 

“Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears, and sometimes voices&” (From Shakespeare’s “Tempest”)

 

“Tis some visitor & tapping at my chamber door Only this and nothing more.” (From Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven”)

 

HYPERBOLE: These are one of the most common figures of speech in English, and you must have used them at least once, even if you are not a native English language speaker. These phrases are meant to emphasize the importance of something by using over-exaggerated phrases. Two examples of hyperbole figures of speech are:

 

“I have told you a million times not to touch my stuff!”

“He has a pea-sized brain.”

 

EUPHEMISM: Euphemisms are figures of speech that are used to replace stronger and harsher phrases. These are generally milder or more acceptable terms that you can use in your conversations to sound more polite and sometimes, politically correct. For example:

She has “passed away”, instead of “died.”

The company has “let him go,” instead of “fired him.”

 

IRONY: These figures of speech are sometimes also express sarcasm. You can use these phrases to convey a certain meaning by stating the opposite of it. In common English parlance, such ironic statements or phrases are easily understood. The use of these words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning. However, here are two examples that will make it clearer:

 

During a thunderstorm, Thomas exclaimed ironically, “What beautiful weather we are having!”

Gerald proposed a useless idea, to which Thomas responded saying, “That’s genius!”

 

ANAPHORA: This type of figure of speech is characterized by words, phrases, or clauses that repeat in consecutive sentences. They are generally used contrastingly in either children’s rhymes or powerful and dramatic speeches. For example:

 

“So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania…”

 

(From Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech).

 

“In every cry of every Man, In every infant’s cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.”

(in William Blake’s poem “London”).

 

MAKING NOTES WHILE LISTENING TO A SERMON OR STUDYING THE BIBLE:

 

This guide is about how to make effective notes during a sermon at church or in our personal bible studies. There are various techniques which you can use, but you should consider how you can develop your own style of note-taking that will enhance not only how you take notes but how your note taking can encourage your spiritual knowledge and growth. Note making is not just about writing down everything you hear or read. It is a process of reviewing, connecting and synthesizing ideas from your lectures or reading.

 

MAKING NOTES HELPS YOU TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

 

Stay active and engaged during sermons, Bible studies, your quiet times and reading the Bible.

Understand what you are learning and clarify your thinking.

Be selective and identify key ideas.

Remember the material.

Organize your ideas and make connections between key points you see in scripture.

Plan and structure your written notes so they can be helpful when you come back to them for review.

Review and revise your notes on a regular basis as you grow in spiritual knowledge.

 

ALL GOOD NOTES SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

 

The date and source of notes taken – this can help you remember the context of your note taking.

 

Headings to help you identify the key topics.

 

Key points, examples, names, new ideas.

 

Triggers to make your notes more memorable – such as mnemonics, color or drawings.

 

Further reading and ideas to follow up later.

 

Consider developing a system of symbols and abbreviations to help you speed up your note taking. You can create a list that works for you. This will reduce the amount of writing and help you quickly recall information.

 

You also might like to consider recording the source of your notes if you are listening to a sermon or reading a book. This will help you if you wish to consult the source again or find additional information from that same source.

 

THREE STAGES OF NOTE TAKING:

 

Note making doesn’t only happen when you are reading or attending Bible studies and listening to church sermons. There are three stages to making effective notes: before, during, and after.

 

Before: Prepare by finding out what scripture is being addressed in the sermon or Bible study.
During: Note down main ideas and keywords. Find techniques that work for you.

 

After: Reflect and review and then organize your notes.

 

Application: Never forget that you listen to sermons, participate in Bible Studies and set aside time for personal devotions to encourage your spiritual growth in Christ. Such disciplines are extremely important to your spiritual growth in Christ.