Figure of speech refers to a word or phrase that departs from the literal or straightforward meaning of words for the sake of emphasis, clarity, or freshness of expression. There are various figures of speech, and each serves a different purpose. Below are some of the common figures of speech, along with an example and an explanation.

1. Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that uses the words "like" or "as" to compare two different things. For example: "She is as pretty as a picture." This simile compares the girl's beauty to the beauty of a picture.

2. Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things without using "like" or "as." For example: "Life is a journey." This metaphor compares life to a journey, emphasizing that life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, just like a journey.

3. Personification
Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human qualities, characteristics, or emotions to non-human things or animals. For example: "The wind whispered in my ear." This personification gives the wind the ability to speak, which is a human quality.

4. Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that exaggerates or overstates something for emphasis or effect. For example: "I have told you a million times." This hyperbole exaggerates the number of times the speaker has told the listener something.

5. Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech that uses words that imitate the sound they describe. For example: "The clock tick-tocked all night." This onomatopoeia imitates the sound of the clock ticking.

6. Alliteration
Alliteration is a figure of speech that repeats the same sound or letter at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. For example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." This alliteration repeats the "p" sound in each word, creating a musical effect.

In conclusion, figures of speech are used to add color, depth, and meaning to language. They help writers to convey their message in a more engaging and memorable way.