Figures of speech are an ornaments of language, there has been questions asked in the Board Exams based on  "Poetic Device" figures of speech can be categorised in the following manners.

Definition: A simile is a direct comparison between two different things, using the words like  "like" "so" or "as."

Examples:

1. Her smile was as bright as the sun.
2. Life is like a box of chocolates.
3. He is as stubborn as a mule.
4. The warrior fought like a lion.
5. Her voice is as sweet as honey.

• 2. Metaphor

Definition: A metaphor is an implied comparison, where one thing is said to be another.

Examples:

1. Time is a thief.
2. The classroom was a zoo.
3. Her eyes were sparkling diamonds.
4. He has a heart of stone.
5. The world is a stage.

• 3. Personification

Definition: Personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

Examples:

1. The wind whispered through the trees.
2. The car groaned as it climbed the hill.
3. The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.
4. Time flies when you’re having fun.
5. The moon smiled down at us.

• 4. Apostrophe

Definition:  An apostrophe directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified idea.

Examples:

1. O Death, where is thy sting?

2. Roll on, thou mighty ocean!

3. Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour.

4. O Nature, thou art my guide!

5. O Sun, why do you hide behind the clouds?

• 5. Antithesis

Definition: Antithesis contrasts two ideas in the same sentence to create a striking effect.

Examples:

1. Speech is silver, but silence is golden.

2. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

3. Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.

4. Many are called, but few are chosen.

5. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.

• 6. Oxymoron

Definition: Oxymoron combines two contradictory terms to describe something.

Examples:

1. Bitter-sweet memories

2. Deafening silence

3. Jumbo shrimp

4. Cruel kindness

5. Living dead

• 7. Epigram

Definition:  An epigram is a brief, witty statement that expresses an idea in a clever way.

Examples:

1. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

2. The child is the father of the man.

3. A man may die, but an idea lives on.

4. I can resist everything except temptation.

5. In the midst of life, we are in death.

• 8. Metonymy

Definition: Metonymy replaces the name of one thing with something closely related to it.

Examples:

1. The Crown will decide the matter. (= The king/queen)

2. The White House issued a statement. (= The President)

3. Hollywood is obsessed with sequels. (= The film industry)

4. The pen is mightier than the sword. (= Writing vs. warfare)

5. She adores Shakespeare. (= His works)

• 9. Synecdoche

Definition:  Synecdoche uses a part of something to represent the whole or vice versa.

Examples:

1. All hands on deck. (= Sailors)

2. The wheels are parked outside. (= Cars)

3. He’s the breadwinner of the family. (= Provider)

4. The hired blade did his job. (= Assassin)

5. The suits decided the matter. (= Businessmen)

• 10. Climax

Definition:  Climax arranges ideas in increasing order of importance or intensity.

Examples:

1. He came, he saw, he conquered.

2. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

3. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

4. How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties!

5. She is charming, intelligent, and extraordinary.

• 11. Anticlimax

Definition: Anticlimax is the opposite of climax, descending from significant to trivial ideas, often for humor or satire.

Examples:

1. He lost his family, his wealth, and his pen.

2. For God, for glory, and for the goldfish.

3. I came, I saw, I tripped.

4. They are the hope, the dream, and the joke of the nation.

5. He fought valiantly, endured pain, and complained about his sore feet.

• 12. Hyperbole

Definition:  Hyperbole exaggerates ideas for emphasis.

Examples:

1. I’ve told you a million times!

2. This bag weighs a ton.

3. He runs faster than the wind.

4. It’s so hot, I’m melting!

5. I haven’t slept in ages.

• 13. Euphemism

Definition:  Euphemism replaces a harsh or unpleasant expression with a more polite one.

Examples:

1. He has passed away. (= He has died.)

2. She is in a better place now. (= She is in heaven.)

3. The company is downsizing. (= Laying off employees.)

4. She is expecting. (= She is pregnant.)

5. He was let go. (= He was fired.)

• 14. Litotes

Definition:  Litotes conveys an affirmative idea by negating its opposite.

Examples:

1. He’s not bad at cooking. (= He’s good at cooking.)

2. She is no ordinary girl. (= She’s extraordinary.)

3. It’s not the worst idea. (= It’s a good idea.)

4. He is not unfriendly. (= He is friendly.)

5. I’m not unacquainted with this topic. (= I’m familiar.)

• 15. Irony

Definition:  Irony expresses meaning by saying the opposite of what is intended.

Examples:

1. A fire station burns down.

2. A marriage counselor files for divorce.

3. The English teacher made a spelling mistake.

4. A mechanic’s car breaks down.

5. Brutus is an honorable man.

• 16. Pun

Definition: A pun is a play on words that suggests multiple meanings for humorous effect.

Examples:

1. I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.

2. A boiled egg is hard to beat.

3. I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.

4. A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it’s two-tired.

5. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

• 17. Exclamation

Definition: Exclamation uses an expressive phrase to draw attention or evoke emotions.

Examples:

1. What a beautiful day!

2. How amazing is this view!

3. Oh, what a wonderful world

4. What a piece of work is man!

5. How sweet the sound!

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