FIGURES OF SPEECH
Prepared by: GROUP 6
Anacoenosis
– a figure of speech in which an appeal is
made to one’s listeners or opponents for
their opinion or judgment as to the subject
under discussion.
Example:
“Given the persecution my client has
undergone, does he not deserve to
have some justifiable anger?”
Anacoloutha:
- Substituting one word with another
whose meaning is very close to the
original, but in a non-reciprocal fashion;
that is, one could not use the first, original
word as a substitute for the second. This is
the opposite of acoloutha.
Example:
“She opened her thoughts to her,
She opened her heart to her.”
Anacoluthon
- is derived from the Greek word anakolouthos,
which means “lacking sequence.” It is a stylistic
device defined as a syntactic deviation, and
interruption within a sentence from one
structure to another. In this interruption, the
expected sequence of grammar is absent. The
grammatical flow of sentences is interrupted in
order to begin more sentences.
Example:
I will have such revenges on you both, That
all the world shall―I will do such things,
What they are, yet I know not.”
Anacrusis
An unstressed syllable or syllable group that
begins a line of verse but is not counted as
part of the first foot.
Example
Oh such a poor child.
Anadiplosis
A figure of speech in which a word or
group of words located at the end of one
clause or sentence is repeated at or near
the beginning of the following clause or
sentence. This line from the novelist Henry
James is an example of anadiplosis: “Our
doubt is our passion, and our passion is our
task.”
Example
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate,
hate leads to suffering.
Analogy
is a figure of speech that explains
something unfamiliar by relating it to
something familiar. If your writing is a dirty
window your readers can’t see through,
then analogies are the glass cleaners that
clear everything up.
Example
She’s as blind as a bat.”
Antisthecon
- Substitution of one sound,
syllable, or letter for another
within a word.
Example: definate' for 'definite'.
Antistrophe
- repetition of the same word or phrase at
the end of successive clauses
Example: The lines read: A day may come
when the courage of men fails, when we
forsake our friends and break the bonds of
fellowship, but it is not this day.
Antithesis
- from Greek antitheton,
“opposition”), a figure of speech in
which irreconcilable opposites or
strongly contrasting ideas are placed
in sharp juxtaposition and sustained
tension, as in the saying “Art is long,
and Time is fleeting.
Antonomasia
- a figure of speech in which some defining
word or phrase is substituted for a person's
proper name
Example: Imagine that you have a friend
who is a fantastic chef, and you want to
say hello.
Normal sentence:
“Oh, look! Sam’s arrived!”
Sentence with Antonomasia:
“Oh, look! The great chef has arrived!”
Apcope
- from the Greek apokoptian, is a figure of
speech that is characterized by the
abbreviation of a complete word, keeping only
the first syllables. Repu, Mat, Capu, Montpel,
Stras… . The French love to speak in apocopes, it
is a strong marker of French culture and urban
style.
Example: Photo is an apocope of photograph.
Aphaeresis
- The omission of a syllable or letter at the
beginning of a word. apocope. The
omission of a letter or syllable at the end of
a word. asyndeton.
Example: round (from around)
Anamnesis
A recalling to mind, or reminiscence.
Anamnesis is often used as a narrative
technique in fiction and poetry as well as
in memoirs and autobiographies.
Example
A notable example is Marcel Proust's
anamnesis brought on by the taste of a
madeleine in the first volume of
Remembrance of Things Past (1913–27).
He set a good example for the rest of us.
Anaphora
is a device in which a phrase or word is
repeated at the start of successive
phrases, sentences, or clauses. Anaphora
is a literary device that allows writers to
emphasize, convey, and reinforce
meaning in their writing.
Example
Lincoln's "we cannot dedicate—we cannot
consecrate—we cannot hallow—this
ground"
Anapodoton
is a rhetorical device in which a main
clause of a phrase that is not mentioned is
implied by a subordinate clause that is
mentioned.
Example
'If the shoe fits, (wear it)' or 'If pigs had
wings, (they would fly)'.
ANASTROPHE
The deliberate changing of normal word order
for emphasis.
Example
I like potatoes, Potatoes I like
Anesis
is the addition of a concluding part to a
discourse that diminishes the effect of
what has been said previously. This figure
is the precise opposite of epitasis Opens in
new window.
Example
Tomorrow we water the plants, the whole
garden.
Antanaclasis
 Refers to the repetition of the same word in a sentence or saying, with each
use of the word have a different meaning.
 Example: We must, indeed, all hang together or, moat assuredly, we shall
all hang separately.
Antanagoge
 An antanagoge is when you combined a positive and negative statement
together.
 Example: This summer season was dry, but not as dry as the one back in
2012.
Anthimeria
 Uses one part of speech as if it were together. The most common form
anthimeria is the uses of a noun as jf it were a verb.
 Example: I can keyboard that article this afternoon.
Antimetabole
 The repetition of words in successive clauses, but in transported
grammatical order.
 Example: I know what I like, and I like what I know.
Anthypophora also known Hypophora
 The practice of asking oneself a question and then immediately answering
it.
 Example: The most beautiful age? Yours!
Antiphrasis
Use of phrases or words in their opposite sense than the real meaning to
create an ironic or comic effect
Example: The chihuahua was named Goliath.
Antiptosis
Is a translation of one case into another, using ‘of’ in the
linkage. Uses of preposition ‘of’ more like a conjunction, joining
things together rather than showing membership.
Example: The folly of man. Instead of “ The foolishness of man”.