Literary Devices

Allegory

A story that is symbolic. Has two layers; surface and meaning.

Example: Allegory of the Cave.

Alliteration

Using the same sounds at beginning of words to create a rhythmic sentence.

Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

Allusion

An intext reference to an out of text source or event, often indirectly, to provide deeper meaning or context.

Ambiguity

Being purposely vague to create a feeling/purpose.

Analogy

Extended metaphor (explanation of metaphor)

Metaphor

Comparison between two things

Simile

Comparing two things using “like,” or “as”

Anaphora

Repeats words at the beginning of sentences.

Antithesis/Contrast/Juxtaposition/Paradox

Purposely contrasting/contradicting two ideas to make a certain point.

Apostrophe

Direct reference to character/object who doesn’t exist

Conceit

A brand new, NOVEL idea

Diction/Syntax

Governs how words/phrases are arranged in a sentence.

Euphemism

Softens harsh words/phrases

Erotema

Rhetorical question

Hyperbole

Overexaggeration

Imagery

Using descriptive words to create a vivid environment

Irony

Opposite of what you expect to happen

Litotes

An understatement of a bad situation

Metonymy

Referencing other things/people via phrases

Synecdoche

Referencing other things via parts of a whole

Example: Boots on the ground

Onomatopoeia

Action words

Oxymoron

Two words next to each other that are very different

Example: Organized chaos

Pathos

Emotional appeal

Personification

Personifying inanimate objects

Point of View

How audiences observe a story through a certain character

Selection of Detail

Over-focusing on one detail that has no literary device relevance

Symbolism

Using a certain object/person to represent another meaning/idea