Craft of Writing - Figures of speech

Some common figures of speech

Figures of speech are a good writer's tool and a bad writer's enemy. Get them right and you sound fresh, witty and you engage the reader. Get them wrong and you bore the reader or even confuse them.

1. Alliteration

A series of words that begin with the same letter or sound alike. This can make for powerful prose.

2. Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds, as above.

3. Cacaphony

A deliberate use of words that in conjunction make harsh sounds.

4. Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds, as above.

5. Euphony

The opposite of cacophony, words used to promote a pleasant sound.

6. Tropes

a. Analogy
Comparing two things explicitly e.g. She walked just like a cat stalking its next meal.

b. Anthropomorphism
Ascribing human characteristics to something that is not human, such as an animal, an inanimate object, natural phenomena or even a concept.

c. Metaphor
An implied comparison of two unlike things e.g. She walked catlike.

d. Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like their meaning e.g. Buzzer.

e. Simile
An explicit comparison between two things e.g. She walked like a cat.

f. Ironic juxtaposition
Linking two words or sentences or concepts that on the face of it don't work together e.g. A fluffy kitten called Killer.

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