figures of speech
General Overview
Subject: Literature-in-English
Theme:
Topic: A General Overview (figures of speech)
Sub Topic:
Date: dd/mm/yyyy
Class: S.S 3
Average Age: 16 years and above
Duration: 40 Minutes
No of Learners: 40
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Defined Figures of Speech.
Figurative language is the language that suggests special meanings or effects such as metaphors or similes; not literal language. Example, she stands like a tree, solid and rooted. Writers use figures of speech to make their books, plays and poems more colourful, spiceful and interesting. Some commonly used figures of speech are as follows.1. Simile: when two unlike things are compared using like or as.
2. Metaphor: when one thing is compared directly to another unlike thing without the use of as or like.
3. Alliteration: the repetition of the same consonant at the beginning of several words in a line of text or poetry.
4. Assonance: the repetition of a vowel sound in several words in a line of text or poetry.
5. Onomatopoeia: when a word sounds like the noise it represents.
6. Personification: when something that is not human is given human characteristics
2. Classification of Figures of Speech.
Figures of speech are classified into four viz: devices expressing comparison, figures of speech expressing contrast, figurative language expressing sound effects and figurative devices overstating and understating idea as explained below.A. Figurative Devices for Comparison:
the devices expressing comparison include simile, metaphor and personification.(a) Simile: „Simile‟ actually means likeness (almost saying „similar‟). It shows similarity between two people/objects that are different in nature but have a common feature. The markers for such comparison are “as” or “like”. It is the conscious and imaginative comparison made between two things so that the reader can understand the characteristic or attribute of the thing being described.
E.g Ali is as gentle as a dove
(b) Metaphor: This is direct comparison (without the use of “as” or “like”) for the sake of emphasis.
E.g 1. Abba is a dove.
2. Muhammad is lionhearted.
(c) Personification: Object is made to sound like a person or given human characteristics. Conversely, When an animal is given human characteristics, the techniques used is not personification but anthropomorphism.
E.g 1. The sun is smiling.
2. The bench screamed when Anita sat on it.
3. The roof complained bitterly when it rained.
B. Figures of Speech Expressing Contrast:
(a) Oxymoron: Two opposite words are juxtaposed together for an intended effect.E.g 1. Sweet sour
2. Open secret
3. Young old man
4. Living dead
5. Dark light
(b) Antithesis: This refers to the juxtaposition of two opposite expressions. Antithesis, unlike an oxymoron, has a longer expression.
E.g 1. Many are called; few are chosen.
2. Man proposes; God disposes.
3. To err is human; to forgive is divine.
(c) Irony: This refers to an expression or a situation where the writer is saying the opposite of what is going on.
E.g 1. Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink
2. The cat as chased by the rat.
3. Your sister would be happy that you broke her plate.
(d) Sarcasm: Is a remark that expresses the opposite of what has been stated. It is meant to criticize or hurt the person to whom it is directed
E.g Your English teacher looks at your scant and badly written essay and says: “You have obviously given a lot of time to this‟.
(e) Epigram: This is a short witty saying expressing an idea in a clever and musing way.
E.g 1. Attack is the best form of defense.
2. The more you look, the less you see.
(f) Paradox: A statement that appears to contradict itself, but upon further rumination, either reveals a deeper meaning or actually makes sense. Two contradictory ideas are juxtaposed in a way that is insightful.
E.g 1. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
2. I must be cruel to be kind
C. Figures of Speech expressing Sounds effects/Sound Devices:
Sound devices are special words or phrases used in poems and other forms of writing to add beauty to the write up or for aesthetic purpose. Below are the sound devices prevalent in English and Literature.(a) Assonance: A repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds with changes in the intervening consonants.
E.g 1. Joan rows the old boat.
2. These three thieves.
(b) Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in sequence.
E.g 1. On the bald streets break the blank day.
2. Harry has a house in the hill.
3. Friday of french fries and fish.
(c) Rhyme: This occurs when similar sound patterns are found at the end of the lines.
E.g A train in the rain.
(d) Onomatopoeia: The use or creation of a word that imitate, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.
E.g 1. meow
2. buzz of a bee
D. Figurative Devices Overstating and Understating Ideas:
(a) Hyperbole: hyper refers to over- exaggerated expression made for effect. Writers use it to shock or amuse the readers.E.g Jamil responded with a thousand thanks.
(b) Litotes: This is an understatement, and the reversed form of hyperbole. An affirmative proposition is stated by negating its opposite.
E.g 1. This food is not bad.
2. I am not ungrateful.
(c) Euphemism: This expression is used to replace one that is too harsh or unpleasant in order to reduce the impact of some information.
E.g 1. Comfort station (public toilet).
2. Physically substantial (fat).
E. Figurative Devices using Parts for whole or attributes/things to replace Names:
(a) Synecdoche: It is the figurative term used when a part is meant to represent a whole.E.g 1. We have the best brains in this class.
2. My father has eight hungry mouths to feed.
(b) Metonymy: Things are not called by their true names but by the names of tings or attributes closely associated with them.
E.g 1. The pen is mightier than the sword.
2. The pupil has greater power.
Other figurative devices include apostrophe, innuendo, rhetorical question and lots more. In the main, figures devices are ways of achieving entertainment effects in writing, to engage the attention of the readers with the sound appeal derived from the expression and the writer uses them to create an impression. They also show the skills of the writer or the poet.
Rationale:
Figures of speech are classified into four viz: devices expressing comparison, figures of speech expressing contrast, figurative language expressing sound effects and figurative devices overstating and understating idea as explained below.Prerequisite/ Previous knowledge:
Storyings, songs, history etc.Learning Resources:
Flash cards, an audio video youtube examples, Available useful objects.Reference Materials:
1. Exam focus on Literature in English by J.O.J Nwachukwu et’al.2. Standard literature in English vol.4 by Tony Duru
3. Ilozue R.O.C (2018) Authority on Literature in English for schools and colleges
4. Internet sources
Lesson Development:
STAGE |
TEACHER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNING POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1: INTRODUCTION Individual Student |
The teacher asks the student to mention all the figures of speech they know and give examples. | The students should mention the familiar ones of them e.g. Simile, Metaphor, Irony, Personification and Hyperbole etc. | Identification of Prior Ideas |
| STEP 2: EXPLORATION Entire Class |
The teacher’s leads the students to understand that figures of speech are special expression used to covey clear and brief impressions than when expressed in ordinary words helps to make literary works colorful, forceful, powerful and impressive. | The students should write down what the teacher explains and listen attentively. | Definition of Figures of speech |
| STEP 3: DISCUSSION Entire class |
The teacher should display the chart and discuss various types of figures of speech with the students thus: 1) Simile: it compares one thing with another using the words ‘Like’ or ‘As’. The two things in comparison are not similar but they have similarity in the area being compared examples (a) He is as dirty as a pig, (b) He talks like a parrot. 2) Metaphor: It’s also a figure of comparison but does not use ‘like or as,’ as examples. (a) The world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. (b) Chimdi is a tiger. 3) Hyperbole: it is an exaggeration of fact for the sake of emphasis or to heighten effect, example (a) All the waters in the ocean cannot wash dirty in his clothes. (b) I ate a mountain of food. 4) Personification: it is giving of life and human attributes to inanimate objects or abstract things. (a) The leaves are dancing to the tune of the winds. (b) Evil walks in the shadow of the night. 5) Synecdoche: This is when a part of something is used to represent whole, example: (a) All fingers are not equal. (b) Lord give us our daily bread. 6) Metonymy: it is the act of representing or identifying a thing or a person by something that is closely associated with it, example: (a) All the speakers must greet the chair. (b) The crown has summoned all the elders for the meeting. 7) Oxymoron: This is side by side arrangement of two words that are opposites in meaning, example: (a) it is an open secret that Ojo is an armed robber. (b) There are many innocent criminals in the class. (c) Etuk is a holy sinner. (e) Emeka is an honest liar. 8) Antithesis: it is the pairing of two opposite ideas in a sentence in order to heighten a sharp contrast between the ideas, examples: (a) To err is to human, to forgive is divine. (b) United we stand, divided we fall. 9) Rhetorical Question: It is when a question does not need any answer, just for the purpose of persuading and appealing to the mend of audience. Examples: (a) My people will I kill myself for you? (b) Can a kettle call a pot black? 10) Apostrophe: This is addressing an absent person (abstract noun) as if it were present, having life and listening to the speaker, example: (a) O! WAEC, why are you treating us so badly? (b) Oh! Death where is thy sting? |
The students discuss all the figures of speech with the teacher and copy them in their notes. | Types of Figures of Speech |
| STEP 4: APPLICATION Entire class |
The teacher should ask the students to read through all they have copied and give more examples as directed by the teacher. They take corrections where they are wrong. | The students do what the teacher ask them to do. | Better understanding of Figures of Speech. |
| STEP 5: EVALUATION Individual students |
The teacher should ask the students question and to test them. 1. Explain the figures of Speech 2. Mention any ten of them 3. Give two examples of each. |
The students respond to the questions correctly. | Asking the learners questions to assess the achievement of the set objectives. |
| ASSIGNMENT | The teacher gives learners take home. Make a Sentence to show the following figures of speech (2 sentences for each): 1) Simile 2) Metaphor 3) Hyperbole 4) Irony |
The learners copy the assignment | Better understanding of Figures of Speech. |