Which figure of speech involves directly addressing a person or an abstract quality as if they are present?

The figure of speech that involves directly addressing a person or an abstract quality as if they are present is apostrophe. This literary device is often used in poetry and rhetorical speech to create a dramatic effect or to convey emotions. For example, when a speaker talks to a concept like love or a deceased person, they are using apostrophe to make that abstract idea or individual a part of the conversation, making it more personal and impactful.

Apostrophe enhances the expressiveness of the language, allowing the speaker to articulate feelings of longing, frustration, or reverence directly to the addressed subject. This technique invites the audience to connect with the emotions being conveyed, creating a vivid experience in the reader or listener's mind.