Understanding figures of speech is essential for students preparing for the SAT, ACT, AP English, or any academic writing assignment. These literary devices help writers add emphasis, clarity, emotion, and imagery to their work.
Below, you’ll find 15 of the most common figures of speech explained in simple terms—with clear examples you can actually understand and use.
What Are Figures of Speech?
Figures of speech are literary devices that use words in a non-literal way to create comparison, emphasis, imagery, or emotional impact.
They are frequently tested in standardized exams and are commonly used in essays, speeches, and literature.
Quick Reference Table
| Figure of Speech | Simple Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | Comparison using “like” or “as” | Her smile shines like the sun. |
| Metaphor | Direct comparison | Her smile is the sun. |
| Alliteration | Repeated consonant sounds | Peter Piper picked... |
| Assonance | Repeated vowel sounds | The rain in Spain... |
| Imagery | Sensory description | The sweet scent filled the air. |
| Foreshadowing | Hint of future events | He always feared the dark… |
| Allegory | Story with deeper meaning | The tortoise and the hare |
| Allusion | Reference to another text | He’s a Romeo |
| Hyperbole | Exaggeration | I’ve told you a million times |
| Understatement | Downplaying something | It’s just a scratch |
| Oxymoron | Contradictory terms | Bittersweet |
| Personification | Human traits to objects | The wind whispered |
| Symbolism | Object represents idea | A rose symbolizes love |
| Onomatopoeia | Sound words | Boom! |
| Irony | Opposite of expectation | A firefighter afraid of fire |
The 15 Most Common Figures of Speech
1. Simile
- His smile shone like the sun.
- His smile is as bright as the sun.
2. Metaphor
- His smile is the sun on a rainy day.
3. Alliteration
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
4. Assonance
- The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains.
5. Imagery
Imagery is a figure of speech that uses descriptive sensory language to better display the author’s idea(s). It does not just have to be visual imagery but can also convey all other senses as well (touch, taste, smell, and hearing).
Examples:
- Her eyes were a warm forest green, flecked with tiny brown speckles like the soft Earth around her.
- The shouts of the vendors lining the street combined with the man playing his guitar on the corner gave them a headache.
- A decadent pancake was placed in front of me, the sweet maple-scented steam wafting up into my nose.
- As soon as she bit into the lemon, she winced, the sour stinging flavor of the fruit attacking her taste buds and causing her eyes to water.
- The silky soft blanket was wrapped around his shoulders; the fluffiness of the minky fabric warmed him right up.
6. Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a figure of speech that authors use to warn readers of imminent events in their writing. Some uses of foreshadowing are more obvious than others.
Example:
- She always had bad dreams when she slept alone.
7. Allegory
An allegory is a figure of speech in which a character, place, or idea is used to represent a moral or political meaning.
Example:
- The tortoise and the hare represents perseverance over arrogance.
8. Allusion
Allusion is a figure of speech that is used to reference another text outside of the current piece being consumed. This is applicable when someone wants to mention the context of another text without having to explain it fully themselves.
Example:
- “He’s a Romeo” (reference to Shakespeare).
9. Hyperbole
- I’ve heard this song a billion times.
- I’m going to explode; I’m so angry!
10. Understatement
Understatement is a figure of speech that, unlike hyperbole’s over-exaggeration, under-exaggerates the situation or concept at hand. Often used for humor or irony.
Example:
- After falling off a cliff: “That was inconvenient.”
11. Oxymoron
- Bittersweet
- Living dead
- Awfully kind
12. Personification
- The leaves danced gracefully in the breeze.
- The sun smiled down on me, kissing my cheeks with its warmth.
13. Symbolism
Symbolism is a figure of speech that uses symbols, physical or ephemeral, that represent ideas or concepts. Symbols often carry thematic significance in literature.
Example:
- A rose symbolizes love.
14. Onomatopoeia
An onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where the words being used sound like the noises being described in their respective texts. Common in comics and creative writing.
Example:
- Boom
- Bang
- Thwip
15. Irony
- A lifeguard who can’t swim.
- “Great!” after spilling coffee everywhere.
There are, of course, many more figures of speech in the English language, but now you know more about some of the types you see daily in your classes and life in general. For more information on word types and their uses, check out the rest of Pivot’s blog!
Figures of Speech FAQs
What are the most common figures of speech?
Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, and irony are among the most commonly used figures of speech.
What is the difference between simile and metaphor?
A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare, while a metaphor makes a direct comparison without those words.
Are figures of speech literary devices?
Yes. Figures of speech are a type of literary device used to enhance meaning and expression.
Why are figures of speech important for the SAT or ACT?
They often appear in reading passages and may be tested through questions about tone, meaning, or author intent.