Literary Devices and Techniques in Poetry and Prose

Rhyme

A repetition of similar-sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs. For example: 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star / How I wonder what you are.'

Sonnet

A 14-line poem, typically written in iambic pentameter, that adheres to a specific rhyme scheme. Common types include the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet and the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. Example: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.'

Allusion

An indirect reference to a person, event, place, or piece of literature, often without explicit explanation. Example: 'He has the patience of Job,' referring to the biblical figure known for his endurance.

Anaphora

The deliberate repetition of the first part of a sentence or phrase to create emphasis. Example: 'I have a dream that one day... I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted.' (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Enjambment

The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break in poetry without a pause. Example: 'The sun hovered above the horizon, suspended between night and day.'

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unrelated things by stating one is the other, without using 'like' or 'as.' Example: 'Time is a thief that steals our moments.'

Conflict in Literature

_______ is a struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot of a story. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters, nature, society, or other external forces). Common types include: Man vs. Self, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Technology.

Figurative Language

______ is a literary device that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to create deeper, more impactful imagery and comparisons.

Imagery

_______ involves the use of descriptive and sensory language to create vivid mental pictures for the reader. It often appeals to the five senses: Visual (sight): 'The golden sunlight spilled across the meadow.' Auditory (sound): 'The leaves rustled softly in the breeze.' Tactile (touch): 'Her skin was rough like sandpaper.'

Personification

_______ is a type of figurative language where non-human objects, animals, or ideas are given human qualities or characteristics. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

Setting

The _______ is the time and place where a story takes place. It includes: Geographical location (e.g., a city, forest, or planet), Time period (e.g., past, present, future), Cultural environment (e.g., societal norms, customs).

Symbolism

_______ is the use of symbols—objects, characters, or events—to represent larger ideas or concepts. Example: A dove often symbolizes peace.

Allegory

_______ is a literary device in which a story, poem, or artwork conveys a deeper meaning beyond its surface narrative. It often represents moral, political, or philosophical concepts. Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the dangers of totalitarianism.

Flashback

_______ is a literary device that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to depict an earlier event.

Point of View

_______is the perspective from which a story is told.

First-person

_______ is a character in the story (uses 'I' or 'we').

Second-person

The narrator addresses the reader directly using 'you' (less common).

Third-person limited

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.

Third-person omniscient

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

Third-person objective

The narrator describes events without revealing any character's thoughts or feelings.

Flat Character

A character with one or two traits, lacking depth or development.

Round Character

A complex character with a fully developed personality, motivations, and background.

Foil

_______ is a character who contrasts with another (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the main character.

Narrator

_______ is the voice or character that tells the story to the audience.

Unreliable Narrator

_______ is one whose credibility is compromised.

Irony

_______ is when there is a contrast between expectation and reality.

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what one means.

Situational Irony

When the opposite of what is expected happens.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Ethos

_______ is an appeal to credibility or ethics (e.g., a trustworthy expert).

Pathos

_______ is an appeal to emotion (e.g., sympathy, anger).

Logos

_______ is an appeal to logic and reason (e.g., statistics, facts).

Free Indirect Discourse

A style of third-person narration that blends the narrator's voice with a character's inner thoughts.

Portmanteau

_______ is a single word made by blending two words together, combining their meanings.

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative technique that attempts to capture the flow of a character's thoughts and feelings in real time.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two contrasting ideas, images, or characters side by side to highlight their differences.

Graphic Narrative

_______ is a story told using both words and sequential visual images (like a comic or graphic novel).

Metaphor

Direct comparison (e.g., 'Time is a thief.')

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., 'Her smile was as bright as the sun.')

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis (e.g., 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.')

In media res

_______ is a narrative technique where a story begins in the middle of the action, rather than at the chronological start. The earlier events are gradually revealed through flashbacks, dialogue, or exposition.

It creates immediate tension and engages the audience by dropping them directly into a crucial or dramatic moment.

Climax 

_______ is the most intense, exciting, or important moment in a story—usually the turning point where the main conflict reaches its peak. It often determines the outcome of the plot and leads to the resolution.