Figure of Speech

The definition and Kinds of Figure of Speech

Figure of speech shows an expression that uses language in a non literal way.  Kennedy (1979:487) stated that figures of Speech are not devices to state what is demonstrably untrue. Indeed they often state truths that more literal language can not communicate; they call attention to such truths; they lend them emphasis. According to Hicks (2007:92) there are kinds of Figures of Speech. They are Alliteration, Simile, Hyperbole, Assonance, Irony, Litotes, Metaphor, metonymy, Rhetoric, Synecdoche, Paradox, and Personification.

a.       Alliteration

Alliteration is a kind of figure of speech which has repetition of an initial sound in words into a sentence. Kennedy (1979:533) stated that alliteration occur in the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of successive words. Example: I know where the nail is.

b.      Assonance

Assonance is like alliteration. The difference is assonance has repetition of a vowel sound in words into a sentence. Short (1996:111) stated that assonance is the term traditionally reserved for pattern of repetition between vowel sounds. Example: anytime, anywhere and easier.

c.       Hyperbole

Most of us, from time to time, emphasize a point with a statement containing exaggeration.  Hicks (2007:93) stated that hyperbole is obvious exaggeration. It is not literal truth but use figure of speech. Overstatement can be used also for humorous purposes. Example: I’ve told him a thousand times.

d.      Irony

Hicks (2007:93) told that irony is either making a point in words that mean literally the opposite or a condition in which a person seems mocked by fates or the facts. Example: you’re too quickly come here until the guests have gone all.

e.       Litotes

Litotes is a kind of figures of speech that has the opposite of hyperbole. Hicks (2007:93) stated that litotes is an understatement especially assertion by negation of the contrary. Example: I achieved not a little in a life.

f.       Metaphor

Metaphor is a statement that one thing is something else, which is literal sense, it is not. According to Kennedy (1979:490) in general, a simile refers to only one characteristic that two things have in common, while a metaphor is not plainly limited in the number of resemblances it may indicate. Example: Alexander is a fox

g.      Metonym

Metonymy is replacing the name of something by the name of related thing. Kennedy (2007:496) stated that the name of a thing is substituted for that on another closely associated with it. For instance, we say “the white house decided,” and the mean president did.

h.      Rhetoric

Rhetoric is a kind of figures of speech that shows a question. Lingga (2007:288) stated that rhetoric is a rhetorical question asked not to receive an answer, but to assert more emphatically obvious answer to what is asked. Example: you know what I mean, don’t you?

i.        Simile

When two things are compared using the words "like" or '"as," this is called a simile.  Kennedy (1979:497) stated that simile is a comparison of two things, indicated by some connective. Usually like, as, than or a verb such as resembles.  The things usually compared have to be dissimilar in kind for a simile. Example: the cigarette is like a murder.

j.        Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a kind of figure of speech that uses a part for whole of the part to tell a thing. Kennedy (1979:498) told that synecdoche is the use of a part of a thing to stand for the whole of it. Example: her hand can help my family.

k.      Paradox

According to Kennedy (1979:498) stated that paradox occurs in a statement that at first strikes us as self-contradictory but that on reflection makes some sense. Example: standing is more tired than walking.

l.        Personification

Kennedy (1979:496) told that such is one instance of personification: a figure of speech in which a thing, an animal, or an abstract term (truth, nature) is made human. Example: the bird runs faster



Astri Puji Lestari

4 SA 03

14609862