Figures of Speech: Class 9 Study Guide
Writers use figures of speech to make pictures in the reader's mind. Knowing them helps you read poems and write better.
A figure of speech uses words in a special way for effect. It is not meant to be taken word for word. Class 9 English asks you to spot them in poems and stories and say what effect they have.
Always explain the effect: what does it make the reader see, hear or feel?
The main figures
| Figure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | Comparison using like or as | She was as quick as a deer. |
| Metaphor | Saying one thing is another | The classroom was a zoo. |
| Personification | Giving human qualities to things | The wind whispered through the trees. |
| Alliteration | Repeating the same starting sound | Silly snakes slither silently. |
| Hyperbole | Strong exaggeration | I have told you a million times. |
| Onomatopoeia | A word that sounds like its meaning | The bees buzzed. |
| Irony | Meaning the opposite of what is said | 'What lovely weather,' he said in the storm. |
Writing about them
When you answer a question on a poem, name the figure, quote the words and then explain the effect. For example: 'The poet uses personification in "the sea sighed", which makes the sea seem sad and tired.' Do not just list figures; link each one to the poem's mood or message.
Say which figure it is.
Use the exact words.
Say what picture or feeling it creates.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: 'Her smile was sunshine.' This is a metaphor, since it says the smile is sunshine, so it feels warm. Example: 'Brave as a lion' is a simile because of the word as. Common mistakes: calling every comparison a metaphor, and naming a figure without saying what it does.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. A simile uses like or as; a metaphor says one thing is another. 2. Peter picked pretty pink petals. 3. To stress a point or a feeling.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Figures of speech use words for special effect.
- A simile uses like or as; a metaphor does not.
- Always explain the effect on the reader.
- Quote the exact words.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
- Give an example of alliteration.
- Why do poets use hyperbole?