- Exams Focus on figures of speech in English and Literature subjects carefully listed below helps reduce tension and unrequired reading stress. It applies both in external and internal examinations of any level of study; regarding literature in English and English courses. You will surely encounter at least six or five of the listed speeches possibly in theory or objective section. For instance, Secondary school Exams like waec, neco, jamb e.t.c plus private and public exam board major area of concentration on this two subjects always include any of this listed below. Also, their definitions, how to use them with the help of simple example stated to aid understanding.
The Exams Focus Area in Figures of Speech When preparing for English or Literature subject are:
1. SIMILE: This is the comparison between two unlike things that show similarity.
Similes are formed by using connecting words such as 'Like' and 'as'. An example is (A) Nightfall comes like a dreaded disease seeping through the pores of a healthy body.
2. METAPHOR: This is a case in which a person or a things is spoken of as been what it only resembles. Examples are
- (A) The ship of state is now in good hands.
- (B) The rushing wind killed the budding words. Metaphor is also called an implied comparison.
3. ANALOGY: is a comparison whereby something familiar is used to explain something less familiar. This is expressed more formally and deliberately than either simile or metaphor. For example, like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end.
4. PERSONIFICATION : This is the transfer of human-like attributes to non human beings or things. For example : More than an hour, mugo's hut was taken prisoner.
5. APOSTROPHE : This is a situation in which something is addressed as if it were present or listening. For example : "O misery, this world is too wide for thee!"
6. HYPERBOLE : This is the use of an undue exaggeration in a speech. For example, The whole world was there when they fought.
7. LITOTES : This is a specific kind of understatement whereby one negates the opposite of the sentiment or opinion one wants to offer. For example, telling a tourist edging too near a cliff that a further step might not be advisable.
8. OXYMORON : This is the use of two contradictory words side by side. Examples are
- (I) This is darkness visible (Ii) "From the dangerous safety of my tower...
9. ANTITHESIS :This is the use of two contradictory statements side by side. For example: To ere is human; to forgive, divine.
10. METONYMY : This is the use of something related to a thing in representing it. For example; "Breath" can be used to representing life, (Ii) Crown can be used in referring to a king.
11. SYNECDOCHE: This is a figure of speech in which a part of a thing or of a human body is used to represent the whole thing or person. For example, He is a mender of soles. Soles here represents shoes (ii) "Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver". Six hands here represents six men.
12. IRONY: This is the use of an opposite statement in conveying ones real meaning. For example, when a woman standing in pouring rain says 'beautiful weather' to the person next to her.
13. EUPHEMISM: This is a figure of speech in which an unpleasant thing is said in a more pleasant or milder way. For example,..Little remains, but every hour is saved from that eternal silence "Eternal silence" here means death.
14. PARADOX: This is the use of a statement which may look far from common sense or truth but it could be true. For example : more haste less speed.
15. PUN: This is the play on words in a literary work. For example; "How many things by seasoned are to their right place.... "
16. REPETITION : This is the repetition of words or phases in literary work. It is usually for the purpose of emphasis. The repetition of a whole sentence or sentences is called Refrain.
17. INNUENDO : This is an indirect reference to something which might not be favourable to a person's reputation.
18. ABSURD: deals with a work that believes that human condition is absurd and that it can only be represented in works of literature that are absurd. Examples are Waiting, for Godot by Samuel Beckett and The Trial by Franz Kafka.
19. EXEMPLUM: is a story that is an instance of the theme of a sermon. An example Can be found in 'The pardoner's Tale' by Chaucer.
20. ARCHAISM : is the use of words and expressions that are no longer in use.
21. BOMBAST: is the use of a verbose which is not proportionate to the subject matter of a literary work.
22. BOWDLERIZE : is the expurgation or removal of passages considered from a work.
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