Which figure of speech uses a part to represent the whole?

The figure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole is called synecdoche. This device allows a part of something to be used to refer to the entire object or concept. For example, saying "all hands on deck" uses "hands" as a part (the crew's hands) to represent the entire crew. Synecdoche often creates vivid imagery and emphasizes the relationship between the part and the whole, enriching the reader's understanding and engagement with the text.

In contrast, metaphor involves comparing two unlike things without using "like" or "as," while alliteration focuses on the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities. Each of these terms serves a unique role in literary expression, but synecdoche specifically highlights the connecting nature of parts and wholes in its usage.