Literary Devices Terms

Symbolism

A figure of speech where an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. The actions of a character, word, action, or event that have a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story. Ex. In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", the black bird stands for death and loss. Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character.

Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point. Ex. "I am so tired I cannot walk another inch" or "I'm so sleepy I might fall asleep standing here". I am so hungry I could eat a cow

Paradox

A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels Ex. High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king. I know one thing; that I know nothing.

Anachronism

A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. Ex. Shakespeare writes of a clock in Julius Caesar, when clocks would not have existed in ancient Rome: "Brutus: Peace! Count the clock. Cassius: The clock has stricken three." Austin Powers movies—Austin Powers is cryogenically frozen in the 1960s and comes back into the world decades later. There are many anachronisms that Austin Powers is unaware of, like his dated wardrobe and his penchant for saying "Groovy, baby."

Alliteration

Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence. Ex. Bobby Brown ate Brown Brownies Caroline loves cats and cotton

Allegory

An allegory is a symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Usually a rhetoric device, an allegory suggests a meaning via metaphoric examples. Ex. Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief and steadfastness will see you to the very top. All animals are equal but a few are more equal than others. (society)

Assonance

Assonance refers to repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase. In this regard assonance can be understood to be a kind of alliteration. Ex. "A long song". (Where the 'o' sound is repeated in the last two words of the sentence) "I lie down by the side for my bride"/"Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese"/"Hear the lark and harden to the barking of the dark fox gone to ground" by Pink Floyd

Consonance

Consonance refers to repetition of sounds in quick succession produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase. Ex. He struck a streak of bad luck. Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter-repetition of the "t," and "r" sounds.

Imagery

In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author's writings. Ex. The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds. I could hear the popping and crackling as mom dropped the bacon into the frying pan, and soon the salty, greasy smell wafted toward me.

Metaphor

Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. Ex. Henry was a lion on the battlefield "he curtain of night" or "all the world's a stage."

Meter

Meter is a unit of rhythm in poetry, the pattern of the beats. It is also called a foot. Each foot has a certain number of syllables in it, usually two or three syllables Ex. That time l of year l thou mayst l in me l behold My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. Ex. Sometimes we cherish things of little value. He possessed a cold fire in his eyes. This is another fine mess you have got us into.

Parallelism

Parallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. Ex. You need to work quickly and decisively. This is not only just what I wanted, but also just what I needed.

Personification

Personification is one of the most commonly used and recognized literary devices. It refers to the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals. Ex. The cow sang and danced The tree told me to calm down

Pun

Puns are a very popular literary device wherein a word is used in a manner to suggest two or more possible meanings. Ex. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now. Yesterday, a clown held the door open for me. It was such a nice jester!

Simile

Similes are one of the most commonly used literary devices; referring to the practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. Ex. He is like a mouse in front of the teacher. He smells like a horse.

Foreshadowing

The literary device foreshadowing refers to the use of indicative word or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Ex. "He had no idea of the disastrous chain of events to follow". In this sentence, while the protagonist is clueless of further developments, the reader learns that something disastrous and problematic is about to happen to/for him. A gun is a sign of upcoming events. Sometimes it will be hidden in a drawer or glove compartment.

Rhyme

The rhyme scheme is the practice of rhyming words placed at the end of the lines in the prose or poetry. Rhyme scheme refers to the order in which particular words rhyme. Ex. Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn. The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row.

Euphemism

The term 'euphemism' is used to refer to the literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form. This device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and things "embarrassing". Ex. Using "to put out to pasture" when one implies retiring a person because they are too old to be effective. Departed instead of died

Irony

The use of irony in literature refers to playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. Ex. Writing a sentence such as, "Oh! What fine luck I have!". The sentence on the surface conveys that the speaker is happy with their luck but actually what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with their (bad) luck. If a fire department catches on fire.

Satire

The use of satire in literature refers to the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw. Ex. An example of satire in modern popculture is the TV series Southpark that uses satire as it primary medium for drawing attention the flaws in society, especially American society at present. The scripts and writing for the show are an excellent example of satire in written form. Satire is often used to effect political or social change, or to prevent it.

Idiom

a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words Ex. A chip on your shoulder - means you are holding a grudge He let the cat out of the bag

Situational Irony

a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected Ex. A fire station burns down. This is unexpected because one would assume the fire chief would keep his own building safe. Ex. A marriage counselor files for divorce. This is ironic because the expectation is that a professional who coaches couples through rough patches would herself have a strong marriage.

Dramatic Irony

irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. Ex. Two people are engaged to be married but the audience knows that the man is planning to run away with another woman. In a scary movie, the character walks into a house and the audience knows the killer is in the house. Jonathan Richman's comedy movie, There's Something About Mary, contains several instances of dramatic irony. For instance, when Ted thinks that the police have arrested him for picking up a hitchhiker, the audience knows that the police are actually interrogating him about a murder. Therefore, when Ted delivers these seemingly-innocuous lines, it is comedic to the audience.

Repetition

the action of repeating something that has already been said or written. Ex. I felt happy because I saw the others were happy and because I knew I should feel happy, but I wasn't really happy. So I said yes to Thomas Clinton and later thought that I had said yes to God and later still realized I had said yes only to Thomas Clinton.