Top 20 Figures of Speech

By Richard Nordquist, About.com

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that achieves a special effect by using words in distinctive ways. Though there are hundreds of figures of speech (many of them included in our Tool Kit for Rhetorical Analysis), here we'll focus on just 20 of the most common figures.

You will probably remember many of these terms from your English classes. Figurative language is often associated with literature--and with poetry in particular. But the fact is, whether we're conscious of it or not, we use figures of speech every day in our own writing and conversations.

For example, common expressions such as "falling in love," "racking our brains," "hitting a sales target," and "climbing the ladder of success" are all metaphors--the most pervasive figure of all. Likewise, we rely on similes when making explicit comparisons ("light as a feather") and hyperbole to emphasize a point ("I'm starving!").

Using original figures of speech in our writing is a way to convey meanings in fresh, unexpected ways. Figures can help our readers understand and stay interested in what we have to say. For advice on creating figures of speech, see Using Similes and Metaphors to Enrich Our Writing.

How to Review the Top 20 Figures of Speech
Click on each of the following terms to visit a glossary page. There you will find the definition and several examples of the figure as well as its etymology (which shows where the term came from) and a sound file (so that you'll know how to pronounce the term). For each figure of speech, try to come up with an example of your own.

The Top 20 Figures

1. Alliteration
Repetition of an initial consonant sound.

2. Anaphora
Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.

3. Antithesis
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.

4. Apostrophe
Breaking off discourse to address some absent person or thing, some abstract quality, an inanimate object, or a nonexistent character.

5. Assonance
Identity or similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words.

6. Chiasmus
A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed.

7. Euphemism
The substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit.

8. Hyperbole
An extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect.

9. Irony
The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. A statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.

10. Litotes
A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite.

11. Metaphor
An implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in common.

12. Metonymy
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated; also, the rhetorical strategy of describing something indirectly by referring to things around it.

13. Onomatopoeia
The formation or use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

14. Oxymoron
A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side.

15. Paradox
A statement that appears to contradict itself.

16. Personification
A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with human qualities or abilities.

17. Pun
A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words.

18. Simile
A stated comparison (usually formed with "like" or "as") between two fundamentally dissimilar things that have certain qualities in common.

19. Synechdoche
A figure of speech is which a part is used to represent the whole, the whole for a part, the specific for the general, the general for the specific, or the material for the thing made from it.

20. Understatement
A figure of speech in which a writer or a speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

Source

Free Wedding Speeches Can Help Novice Speakers

By Mike Selvon

If you have been called upon to make a wedding speech at an upcoming marriage, or if you just want to be prepared with a good wedding toast, then you may be happy to know that there are some sources of free wedding speeches to help you out.

While these free speech resources might not turn you into a polished public speaker, they can give you some pointers and tips to on how to make your words more refined.

For the marriage reception, most couples plan for three people to give a speech on the special day, although it is up to the couple's discretion to ask more or fewer people to speak.

Traditionally, there are father of the bride speeches, best man speeches and the bridegroom speeches given as part of the reception. At times, siblings, the father of the groom and even the maid of honor are asked to speak, as well as anyone the couple feels can add a special sentiment to their day.

The vast majority of people never are called upon to speak in public, so giving a speech on the special day can end up being a very nerve-wracking proposition for most. The many stresses that the couple and the whole marriage party experience during the days leading up to the special day can add to this nervousness.

This is why accessing free wedding speeches can really help because the more prepared you are, the less nervous you will end up being when it comes time to give the speech. Having the structure of a free wedding speech can help you focus and will give you an outline or framework with which to start.

It is a simple fact that free wedding speeches, which can be obtained online, can significantly help to eliminate the fear of public speaking. They can also help to solidify your thoughts, which is particularly helpful for those whose minds go completely blank when faced with the task of saying something meaningful at an event so important as a marriage.

Free wedding speeches are basically simple, pre-outlined orations, humorous thoughts and jokes and even poetry that you can use to give your marriage speech a framework to start with.

While a free wedding speech will obviously be generic, it does give you a place to start so that you can insert specifics about the bride and groom to make the comments more customized and personal.

The more you are able to interject interesting tidbits of information and insights into the speech, the more meaningful it will be to everyone in the group.

Downloading your favorite free speech from a helpful website will get the ball rolling. At this point, you can add your personal commentary, put some effort into memorizing and practicing your speech and then you will be ready to make your marriage speech debut.

Some of the best advice you can follow to make the most of the speech on the special day you have prepared is to say it out loud over and over again as you memorize it.

This will help you find just the right voice inflections and help you naturally know when to pause and what words to emphasize. With daily practice before the event, by the time the special day day arrives, you will be calm and confident even if you are a novice at public speaking.

Although there are some who are simply naturals at giving a marriage speech, the majority of people need a little help along the way to feeling confident about giving wedding speeches and toasts in front of a gathering of family and friends.

Using free wedding speeches can help you avoid embarrassing comments and will make you more assured and comfortable.

Wedding Speeches is a memorable act that newly weds treasures for life and Mike Selvon's portal will expand your horizon on free wedding speeches. Visit us to receive your free gift and leave a comment at our wedding toasts blog.

How I Organized A Speech Contest

By Linda Meckler

Did you ever organize a large contest? Did you ever organize a large event? Did you have help? If you have answered yes or no to any of these questions, read on.

I am a member of Toastmasters an outstanding public speaking organization. I am very proud to be a member of this organization. I have become an Area Governor this past year. With becoming an Area Governor comes huge responsibilities. One of which is putting on 2 area contests a year.

I recently had to organize my first speech contest. I was at a complete loss in the beginning. I did not know which way to turn or what to do first. Our Lt. Governor in charge of marketing wrote a manual called, "Organizing Area & Division Contests Guidebook." I read it at least 6 times and used it as my bible.

I soon found out the first and most important element of the contest was to sign up the Chief Judge. After making 100+ phone calls my main person came on board and the rest fell into place. The Chief Judge brings on board his own staff which consists of 5 judges and one tie breaker judge.

There were many more people I needed to sign up to work on my team. I went back to the phone, and my team was complete. E-mailing was the main form of communication established between me and my team members. In this way, we could easily keep in touch.

I was lucky, I had a wonderful woman, who is the president of one of the clubs I was in charge of, come forward and mentor me. She has been in Toastmasters for 15 years and she gave me 100% off all her knowledge which carried me through out the planning of my contest.

The night of the contest finally arrived. I was excited and anxious. I had called, and e–mailed my team. We were all on the same page. Now was the time for my team to shine and put on this wonderful speech contest. The theme of my contest was, "Explosive Imaginations Stand Tall."

In the first half of the contest each contestant was asked one question. They each had 2 minutes to answer. They used their creative and explosives imaginations when they were put on the spot. This is called Table Topics. The second half of the contest was Tall Tales - prepared speeches. The speeches were also creative, and when the contestants wrote these speeches, their imaginations really exploded.

I would like to say when I used the people I knew and trusted for the jobs, which were the most crucial, I could breathe easier and finally settle down and enjoy the show.

I also had to count on several people who I had only met over the phone and by e–mail. They really stepped up to the plate, and we put on an organized contest. I was proud of each and everyone on my team.

There was plenty of food thanks to my team members who were in charge of the food table, and everybody ate until they were full.

What I found out about this contest was, I organized and executed a large event. Something I had never done before or even thought about. My self-esteem soared.

I witnessed new Toastmaster members step out of their comfort zone and really shine in the spot light. I know this was a real growing experience in their personal and professional lives.
It was a wonderful experience, I met many new and wonderful people, and I was glad I was part of Toastmasters and their area contest.

Thank you team. I could not have done it without you. We will do it again in six months.
Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on various subjects.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2007
Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Stop Computer Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store
Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

How To Write A Killer Father Of The Bride Speech

By Gabriel J. Adams

An ideal father of the bride speech is something that conveys the significance of the event with added humor and eloquence that is perfect for the occasion. Here are some guiding patterns on how to write a great father of the bride speech.

1. First part is the welcoming and the wishing part. After greeting every person in attendance start the speech by telling about yourself and introducing yourself to the guests who still don't know you well.

2. Inject some humor by relating events in the planning and eventual wedding itself that you think is funny. This is to make everybody comfortable and having them laughing at the start will get your confidence rising.

3. The next part should be directed to the bride, by complimenting on how beautiful she looks or adding lines such as "I still remember that cute baby that cries at night, I can't believe that baby has grown to be such a beautiful bride today"

4. Relate to the wedding guests about your own daughter, her achievements prior to getting married, emphasize on the kind of special relationship you shared with each other as father and daughter. Add some humor, by telling some funny things she'd done in her life but in the end make sure it all comes out good and praise her by being a father and a gentleman.

5. Silly stories about your daughter or the bride is a welcome addition to the speech. This is needed to lighten up the situation and have everyone laugh a little.

6. Talk about some of the standout moments before her wedding, events that make the bride as an unforgettable individual. What makes you proud of having her as your daughter?

7. Next part would be to include a short part about how you and your wife see your daughter while growing up.

8. Tell the guests about your dreams for your daughter and how she accomplished some of it and enough to make you proud. Mention the ups and downs of her life, but please do not mention stories about her former boyfriends.

9. Lastly conclude the speech by telling everyone how happy you and the rest of your family of seeing your daughter take on a new role as wife and soon as a mother. Tell them how she made you proud of her.

10. Have a toast with the family of the groom and the rest of the guest; wish the newlywed the best things to come.

The following is a simple pattern to follow in writing that perfect father of the bride speech. Anybody is free to add to the speech as long as it will bring more emotions and sincerity to the occasion. One important thing to remember is that the father of the bride speech is an opportunity to honor the bride and uplift her spirit in this momentous and wonderfully special event in her life.

Relax, smile and be confident that way you can honor your daughter with a great father of the bride speech.

Find tips on father of the bride speech, best man toasts.

How to Give a Funny Best Man's Wedding Speech

By James Nardel

This is the one time in your best friend’s life when you have to make things memorable for him.
This is your job as his best man. What better way to make his wedding memorable than to dedicate a funny speech for him? After all, weddings should be fun, shouldn’t they?

This is the time to send off your friend and his partner as a married couple so make sure you tell them, “Take care, you’re on your own!” Just kidding. But hey, best friends kid a lot don’t they?

Some people would love this comment. After all, when a couple decides to get married, they’re usually ready. A big emphasis on the usually ready part, there are a lot of couples, especially young ones, who change their minds on their wedding day. So to make doubly sure that this gets the desired effect, follow up by bringing up pleasant memories the couple have shared, make a joke or two about them to lighten the mood. As the couple’s best friend, for sure you’ve heard tons of them. By doing this, you promote a warm feeling of comfort, drawing the couple closer, as well the people around them. It doubles as an invitation to everyone else to express his or her support at the reception.

Getting married also means less time for hangouts with friends and more time for the missus and the kids. Usually guys take it badly so as the best man, you should find a way to make light of this. Say something like, “We were wondering when you’d get hitched, I guess you took your sweet time finding the perfect bride. She’s so unlucky to have such an ugly husband like you.”

By telling someone how lucky he or she is, even by irony gives that person pride. This is another way of reminding people that they have more reasons to be happy than to think of things that they may no longer be able to do. Again, the most important thing is to make the couple feel that they have your support.

These are but a few of the possible things you may say as the best man during a wedding. Use caution, these are just, but examples. They may work in some cases and sometimes they might not. It all depends on how the best man knows the couple. One only has to take into consideration that this is a day a friend and his partner will start a new life as a couple. As the best man, your duty is to express your support to help them leave their doubts behind and look forward to this new life.

Instantly download over 100 complete Wedding Speech Templates plus 200 Toasts, Wedding Jokes and Quotes or get Absolutely Free Wedding Toasts and Speeches at http://www.FreeWeddingToasts.net.