Figures of Speech in English英语修辞格简介1. Simile 明喻A simile is a figure of speech in which two quite different things are compared because they appear to be similar at least one characteristic.-- My heart is like a singing bird. —––– Rosetti: A Birthday-- A word and stone let go cannot be recalled. —––– Proverb-- I wandered lonely as a cloud. —––– Wordsworth: The Daffodils-- The ruby shall be redder than a red rose, and the sapphire shall be as blue as the great sea.-- He had no more idea of money than a cow.-- A doctor must have the heart of a lion and the hand of a lady.-- Love and cough cannot be hid. —––– Proverb2. Metaphor暗喻，隐喻Metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another. In a metaphor, a comparison is usually implicit; whereas in a simile it is explicit.-- Because of his wealth, he was a fountain of generosity to his relatives and friends.-- Some books are to be tasted, others swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.-- In foreign policy, flying solo can be risky business.-- He was such a marvelous teacher that whenever he recognized a spark of genius, you should be sure he would water it.3. Analogy类推；比喻Analogy is a figure of speech which draws a parallel between two different types of things, and uses one (usually familiar to the reader) to explain the other (usually unfamiliar to the reader). The function of an analogy is to deepen the reader’s understanding of the writer’s point.For instance, we can use Post Office to explain Email, where analogy is adopted (Post Office ---- Email). And in the essay “Cyberspace: If You Don’t Love It, Leave It”, the author draw a parallel between Real Estate and Cyberspace, while in “The Case Against Man”, the author uses Human Body as a comparison to explain the relationship between different life forms on the planet.4. Metonymy借代Metonymy is a figure in which the name of one thing is used to stand for another thing. The two things involved in a metonymy are not of the same kind but are closely related.-- Have you ever read Shakespeare?-- The whole city went out to see the victorious general.-- Moscow and Washington will hold talks on this question.-- She was, to be sure, a girl who excited the emotion, but I was not to let my heart rule my head.-- The kettle is boiling.-- Please drink a cup or two.5. Antithesis反对；对语，对照Antithesis means contrasting ideas sharpened by the use of opposite or noticeably different meanings. It can result in linguistic brevity and rhythmic harmony.-- American imperialism is the strongest in history and also the weakest in history. The skyscraper is highest but the foundation isshakiest. —––– Anna. L. Strong-- Any man or state who fight on against Nazidom will have our aid.Any man or state who marches with Hitler is our foe.—–––Winston Churchill-- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. —–––Charles Dickens -- And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. —––– J. Kennedy6. Oxymoron矛盾修饰法；反衬，反映It is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms are combined to produce an epigrammatic effect. When contradictory terms are used together, they can reveal the relationship between two things which are opposite or quasi-opposite to each other in meaning.-- Cruel kindness (opposite in meaning)-- His air was one of friendly hostility.-- Cold fire (quasi-opposite in meaning)-- I don’t mean to imply that we are suddenly threatened in the United Nations with -harmony.-- His honor rooted in dishonor stood. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.7. Pun双关It is a figure of speech depending upon a similarity of sound and a disparity of meaning. Pun is usually employed for jocular and humorous effect.-- An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for good of his country.-- A professor tapped on his desk and shouted: “Gentlemen —– order!”The entire class yelled, “Beer!”-- Seven days without water make one weak. (= week)-- Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man.—––– Shakespeare8. Paradox 反论; （似非而是的）隽语, 警句Paradox is a statement which is contrary to expectation, apparently absurd or self-contradictory. But in fact, it is reasonable and logical. A paradox often implies profound meaning, hence thought-provoking.-- The child is father of the man. —––– W. Wordsworth-- Those who have eyes apparently see little. —––– Helen Keller-- Most haste, less speed.9. Alliteration头韵法Alliteration refers to the repetition usually of an initial sound that is usually a consonant in two or more neighboring words or syllables. The use of it goes back to ancient times. As one of the phonetic rhetorical devices, it remains a preferable means in literary creation.-- Next to health, heart, home, happiness for mobile Americans depends upon the automobile.-- She sells seashells on the seashore, and the shells she sells are seashells.-- And sings a solitary song,That whistles in the wind. —––– W. Wordsworth -- China’s cities, after decades of bolted doors and barred windows, are suddenly being opened to sweeping changes.—––– News Weekly10. Irony反语，反话Irony is a figure of speech in which the meaning literally expressed is the opposite of the meaning intended and which aims at ridicule, humor or sarcasm. Sometimes irony is used to show people’s intimate feeling, but in most cases, it is used to criticize or expose bad and ugly things.Two types of irony:1) Anti phrase (words used obviously with meanings opposite to their literal one)-- Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.-- This hard-working boy seldom reads more than an hour per week.2) Situations irony (Words used with implied meanings which can notbe taken literally but from the context.)-- “It’s no use going to see little Hans in winter,” the Miller used to say to his wife, “When people are in trouble we must leavethem alone and not bother them. That is my idea offriendship, and I am sure I am right. ”—––– Oscar Wilde, The Devoted Friend11. Parallelism排比，平行结构12. Personification拟人13. Hyperbole夸张14. Euphemism委婉语15. Contrast对照16. Repetition反复17. Climax层递18. Transferred Epithet 移就19. Parody 仿拟20. Onomatopoeia拟声。