Elements of style- figure of speech

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

-It is a stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series.

*But a better butter makes a batter better.
A big bully beats a baby boy.

Question 2

Apostrophe

Answer 2

-apostrophe is a figure of speech sometimes represented by exclamation “O”. A writer or a speaker, using an apostrophe, detaches himself from the reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.
*Jane Taylor uses apostrophe in the well-known nursery rhyme “The Star”:
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.”

Question 3

Assonance

Answer 3

-Assonance takes place when two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds.

*For instance,
“Men sell the wedding bells.”

Question 4

Cacophony

Answer 4

• the term refers to the use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants to achieve desired results.
• “Jabberwocky” in his novel “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There”:

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,an
And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
*

Question 5

Cliché

Answer 5

-Cliché refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. A cliché may also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events.All examples of Cliché are expressions that were once new and fresh.
*in the nick of time – to happen just in time
only time will tell – to become clear over time
a matter of time – to happen sooner or later
at the speed of light – to do something very quickly

Question 6

Hyperbole

Answer 6

Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting” is a figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.
*My grandmother is as old as the hills.
Your suitcase weighs a ton!

Question 7

Metaphor

Answer 7

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but have some characteristics common between them.
My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.)The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)

Question 8

Mixed Metaphor

Answer 8

is a metaphor that has gotten out of control and mixes its terms so that they are visually or imaginatively incompatible.
*“The President is a lame duck who is running out of gas.”

Question 9

Metonymy

Answer 9

a figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing, is referred to by something closely associated with it.
* “we requested from the crown support for our petition.” the crown is used to represent the monarch.

Question 10

Onomatopoeia

Answer 10

the use of words whose sounds echo their sense.

* “pop.” “zap.”

Question 11

Oxymoron

Answer 11

a figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.
*“Jumbo shrimp.” Pretty ugly.” “Bitter-sweet”

Question 12

Paradox

Answer 12

a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth.

Question 13

Personification

Answer 13

a figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.

Question 14

Synecdoche

Answer 14

part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part.Synecdoche may also use larger groups to refer to smaller groups or vice versa
*The word “bread” refers to food or money as in “Writing is my bread and butter” or “sole breadwinner”.
The phrase “gray beard” refers to an old man.
The word “sails” refers to a whole ship.