Story Elements – Concept and Its Parts

Figure of Speech 

• A figure of speech is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition, I.e., the meaning is not direct/plain.  
• It can be a metaphor or simile, designed to make a comparison.  
• It is used to provide a dramatic effect. 
• There are different types of figures of speech. 
• Let’s explore three of them.  

Imagery using visuals 

• The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky. He gazed at the vibrant stars that were sprinkled all over…………. 

In this example, the experience of the night sky is described in depth with color (black as ever, bright) and patterns (sprinkled). 

Imagery using taste 

• The little boy made his face dirty with chocolate. He was licking it with relish and gave a naughty smile. 
• The chocolate melted in my mouth. 
• I bit into the butterscotch cake  

• Its flavors exploded in my mouth.  
• The sweet and the sour and the spice just rolled around in my mouth.  

Imagery using touch 

• She accidentally touched the plant and its spikes bit into her. 
• (In this example, imagery is used to describe the pain of the girl after touching the sharp thorns of the plant).  

Imagery using sounds 

• The door slammed with a thud!!! (Here, sound imagery may not be so pleasing to hear.) 
• The clock went tick tick tick…… 
• The spiciness of the curry tingled the tip of the nose. 

Imagery using scent 

• The rich smell of the juicy mango made her smile. (The smell of mangoes made the person happy)  

Personification  

• Personification means representing a non-human thing as if it were human.  
• Personification gives human traits and qualities, such as emotions, desires, sensations, gestures and speech, often by way of a metaphor.  

Metaphors and Simile 

• Similes use the words like or as to compare things. 
• Life is like a box of chocolates. 

• He is as fast as a cheetah. 
• My niece is as cute as a button. 
• Metaphors directly state a comparison. 
• Love is a battlefield. 
• He is a cheetah. 

• My life is an open book.