Literary Devices
anaphora
repetition of a word or phrase
Simile
a figure of speech that uses like or as to compare seemingly unlike things
onomatopoeia- example
buzz
imagery
descriptive language that speaks to one or more of the 5 senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, sound)
Alliteration- example
from forth the fatal loins
Dramatic Irony
the contrast between what the characters know and what the reader knows
Allusion- example
He had Herculean strength.
hyperbole- example
I hope my mom doesn't kill me when she finds out.
Theme- example
It is better to try your hardest than to live with the regrets of inaction.
Verbal Irony- example
Of course I don't mind that you lowered my pay.
Anaphora- example
She breathed in and out, in and out, to steady her nervous for the big test.
Simile-example
She was as beautiful as Aphrodite.
Situational Irony- Example
The princess walks out of the castle as the prince arrives to save her.
Dramatic Irony- example
The reader knows the killer is in the shed, the characters in the story don't.
Personification- example
The trees danced in the breeze.
Metaphor-example
Time is money.
Personification
a figure of speech in which an animal, object, a force of nature, or an idea is given human characteristics.
Hyperbole
a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor
allusion
a reference to a well-known character, place, or situation from history, music, art, or another work of literature
Motif
a significant word, phrase, image, description, idea, or other element that is repeated throughout a literary work and is related to the theme.
symbol
any person, animal, place, object, or event that exists on a literal level within a work but also represents something on a figurative level
Metaphor
figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things
Verbal Irony
stating something other than the literal meaning
Connotation
the associations connected to a word; the figurative meaning
Tone
the author's attitude toward the material
irony
the contrast between appearance and reality
Denotation
the dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning
Theme
the moral or lesson taught throughout the story
Situational Irony
the outcome is something other than what is anticipated
alliteration
the repetition of constant sounds, generally at the beginning of words
onomatopoeia
the use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes
Symbol-example
Cross
Diction
word choice