Les Figures de Style (Literary Devices)

Learning ObjectivesIdentify common figures of speech (metaphor, simile, personification, etc.).Explain the effect of a figure of speech in a text.Analyze the use of figures of speech to understand an author's message.Imagine you're reading a poem and you feel a strong emotion. 🤔 How did the author manage to create such a powerful atmosphere with simple words? The answer is often found in their clever use of figures de style (figures of speech) [fee-GUR duh STEEL]! ✍️Real-World ApplicationsBetter understand song lyrics and poetry.Analyze political speeches and advertisements to spot persuasion techniques.Enrich your own writing, whether it's for an essay or an email.

Figure of SpeechDefinitionExampleLa comparaison (The Simile) [la kom-pah-ray-ZOHN]Bringing two things together using a comparison word like comme (as/like) [kom].Il est rusé comme un renard. (He is cunning as a fox.) [eel eh roo-ZAY kom uh ruh-NAR]. 🦊La métaphore (The Metaphor) [la may-tah-FOR]A comparison without a comparison word. One thing is described as if it *is* another thing.Cet homme est un renard. (This man is a fox.) [set ohm eh uh ruh-NAR].La personnification (Personification) [la pair-son-if-ee-kah-SYOHN]Giving human actions or feelings to an object, animal, or idea.Le vent en colère hurlait toute la nuit. (The angry wind howled all night.) [luh vahn ahn koh-LAIR oor-LAY toot la NWEE]. 🌬️L'hyperbole (Hyperbole) [lee-pair-BOHL]An obvious exaggeration used to make a point.Je me...

Identifying Figures of SpeechThis isn't about pure grammar, but about recognizing patterns in the way words are used.Pattern 1: The SimileRule: Look for a special 'tool word' that connects two things. The most common one is comme (as/like) [kom]. If you see it, you've probably found a simile.Example: Sa voix est douce comme le velours. (Her voice is soft as velvet.) [sa vwah eh doos kom luh vuh-LOOR].Pattern 2: The MetaphorRule: One thing (A) is described directly as another thing (B), often using a form of the verb 'être' (to be) [ET-ruh]. There is no tool word. The sentence says that A is B.Example: La vie est un voyage. (Life is a journey.) [la vee eh uh vwah-YAZH].Pattern 3: PersonificationRule: Spot a subject that isn't human (like an object or an idea) doing a human-like action or ha...