Figures of speech are techniques that writers use to make their writings more interesting. They are used to create some special effects . Examples are
1. Simile : this is the comparison of two similar things using "as" or "like". Example : a. Ade is as dirty as a pig
b. Stop crawling like a snail
2. Metaphor : this is a direct comparison of two things, but in this case "as" or "like" is not used, as one thing is stated as another. Example:
a. Emeka is a Lion
b. My mother is an angel
3. Irony. This is a statement or something that means the opposite. Example:
a. She is so intelligent that she came first from behind.
b. Thank you so much for getting me into trouble, it was quite helpful
4. Euphemism. This is a nice way of saying unpleasant. Example :
a. Amaka has been put in the family way. This means that Amaka is pregnant
b. The old man killed the bucket yesterday. This means the old man died yesterday.
5. Hyperbole : This is an exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. Example:
a. Thanks a million
b. After the fight, John was swimming in a pool of his own blood
Exercise
Write a fourteen line poem, and use at least three figures of speech to enrich your language.
