Literature: Figures of Speech

 

Literature: Figures of Speech

Literature is a piece of creative and imaginative work of art which mirrors life. Literature is a reflection of life in the sense that it is used to showcase pleasant and unpleasant experiences in the society to the reader.

Importance of Literature 

It is entertaining .

It teaches moral lessons.

It is educative.

Literature serves as a source tourism.

Literature helps in preserving our culture

It serves as a corrective measure.

It improves our vocabulary.

Genres (Types) of Literature 

Prose: This is a form of literature that tells a story in either a descriptive or narrative style. A writer is f prose is called a novelist, an author or a writer. Prose is divided into two parts namely: fiction and non fiction.

Drama:  Drama is a genre of literature designed for the stage, in which actors and actresses perform the roles given to them by the playwright. Drama is acted on stage in front of people or audience. Drama is usually divided into acts and scenes.

Types of Drama

a. Comedy: This is a type of drama that handles serious issues in a light way. Comedy usually ends happily.

b. Tragedy: This is a play that that treats serious issues seriously. It is a play that has a sad and terrible ending.

c. Tragi-comedy: This is a play that combines elements of tragedy and comedy but has a happy ending.

d. Farce: This is a play whose aim is to entertain the audience through exaggerated actions.

Poetry: Poetry is the imaginative expression of strong feelings, usually rhythimical. Poetry usually expresses thoughts, feelings and experiences of people in an imaginative language.

Figures of Speech 

Metaphor: This is a direct comparison o two or more things or individuals.E.g

a. John is a lion

b. Mark is a pig

c. Alice is a bull at work

   2. Simile: This is a figure of speech which indirectly compares two things that are entirely different with the use of "as" or "like". Examples:

Paul is as gentle as a dove.

The sun is peeping happily behind the cloud like a newly married bride.

We are here like tenants in thatched huts.

3. Hyperbole: This is the use of exaggeration to create a strong impression. Examples:

I will never leave my wife in a million years.

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

4. Onomatopoeia: This is the use of words that copy the sounds that copy the sounds linked to the objects or actions they refer to. Examples:

The hissing of the snake

The kukuroo-koo of the cock.

5. Rhetorical Question: This is a question that already has an obvious answer. Examples:

Why do we eat ?

Do we need to go to school?

6. Irony: This refers to a statement in words that seem to mean the opposite. The real meaning of what is said is hidden. Examples:

She is so intelligent that she failed the examination

The man is so strong that he was beaten up by a little boy.

7. Personification: This is giving non-human objects the  qualities of human beings. Examples:

The sun is smiling at us

The moon is peeping behind the cloud.

8. Oxymoron: This involves placing side by side of two opposite words in a statement for emphasis. Examples:

The story was a beautiful nonsense.

Papa James is the youngest old man.

9. Paradox: This is an expression which says something contrary to the known truth and common sense. Example:

The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first.

10. Alliteration: This is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in a poem. Example:

Wail winds wail. /w/

11. Metonymy: This is the use of an object to represent something closely associated with it. Example:

The pen is mightier than the sword 

The crown has said so.

Evaluation:

What is literature?

List three importance of Literature 

Assignment 

What are the genres of literature 

List five figures of speech.