Literary Devices: Definitions and Examples for English Literature

Alliteration

The repetition of the first consonant sound, occurring close together in a series. Example: 'But a better butter makes a better batter.'

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person or event, often from literature, history, Greek mythology, or the Bible. Can help to simplify complex ideas. Example: 'He was a real Romeo with the ladies.'

Euphemism

A mild or pleasant term used in place of an unpleasant or offensive one. Example: 'Sanitation engineer' instead of 'garbage man.'

Hyperbole

An obvious, intended exaggeration. Example: 'His snores were louder than a freight train,' or, 'I've told you a million times.'

Juxtaposition

Putting two contrasting elements together that are so unlike that the effect is surprising, witty, or even startling. Example: 'My only love sprung from my only hate.' (Romeo and Juliet)

Metaphor

Comparison without using 'like' or 'as.' Example: 'He felt lost in a sea of nameless faces,' or, 'The teacher planted seeds of wisdom.'

Oxymoron

The combination of two words of opposite meaning for dramatic, comedic, or provocative effect. Example: 'Dark comedy' or 'open secret.'

Parallelism

Several parts of a sentence or several sentences expressed in similar grammatical form to show that the ideas are equal in importance. Example: 'We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.' (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address)

Personification

A type of metaphor in which non-human objects or ideas are given human qualities. Example: 'The wind whispered her name.'

Repetition

A repeated word or phrase, used for emphasis. There are two common types: Anaphora and Epistrophe.

Anaphora

Repetition at the beginning of a line. Example: 'We demand truth. We demand justice. We demand equality.'

Epistrophe

Repetition at the end of a line. Example: 'See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil.'

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not requiring an answer. Example: 'How long shall we look the other way while our fellow human beings suffer?' (Michael Harrington, The Other America: Poverty in the United States)

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as.' Example: 'She was as quiet as a mouse.'

Understatement

A statement that says less than it means; often used for comedic effect. Example: 'I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.' (J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye)

Verbal Irony

A statement that expresses the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Often used for humorous or sarcastic effect. Example: 'Lucky me, I've lost my wallet.