The following are the major Figures of Speech :

1. Simile--Simile is a Figure of Speech in which a comparison is made between two objects of different kinds which have, however, at least one point in common. The comparison is expressed by using words like 'as' or 'like' or 'so'.

2. Metaphor - A Metaphor is a condensed form of simile in which comparison between two different objects is shown without the use of such words as like, as or so." (Wren)

3. Personification - "In Personification, inanimate objects and abstract notions are spoken of as having life or intelligence." (Wren)

4. Hyperbole"In Hyperbole a statement is made emphatic by over statement." (Wren)

5. Onomatopoeia="Onomatopoeia is that artifice of language by which the sound of words is made to suggest or echo the sense!" (Nesfield)

6. Apostrophe-"An Apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, to the absent, or to a personified object or idea." (Wren))

7. Oxymoron—"Oxymoron is a special form of antithesis whereby two contradictory qualities are
predicted at once of the same thing." (Wren)

8. Alliteration-"Alliteration consists in the repetition of the same sound or syllable at the beginning of two or more words." (Nesfield)

9. Irony-"Irony is a mode of speech in which the real meaning is exactly the opposite of that which is literally conveyed.' (Wren)


10. Pun-"This cosists in a play on the various meanings of a word, and is seldom used except as a
joke." (Nesfield)

11. Metonymy—"In Metonymy, an object is designated by the name of something which is generally associated with it." (Wren)

12. Synecdoche-"In Synecdoche, a part is used to designate the whole, or the whole to designate a
part." (Wren)

13. Antithesis-"In Antithesis, a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiments is made in the same sentence. It is employed to secure emphasis." (Wren)

14. Transferred Epithet-"In this figure, an epithet is transferred from its proper word to another that is closely associated with it in the sentence." (Wren)