Literary Devices LoL

Sentence patterns and syntax

The arrangement and ordering of words and sentences to create meaning, emphasis, or rhythm.

1. Diction/word choice

The author's choice of words to convey a particular meaning, emotion, or tone.

Parallelism:

The repetition of similar grammatical structures in a series of related words, phrases, or clauses.

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure.

Brachylogia

The omission of words or conjunctions to create a shorter expression.

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of many conjunctions in a sentence.

Anaphora

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Epistrophe

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Polyptoton

The repetition of words derived from the same root word.

Antanaclasis

The repetition of the same word in two different meanings or senses.

Rhythm

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates a beat or flow in language.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something in literature, history, mythology, or another well-known source.

Connotation

The feelings or associations a word suggests beyond its literal meaning.

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

Irony

A discrepancy between what is expected, said, or understood and what actually happens or is meant.

• Verbal irony: Saying something but meaning the opposite.

• Situational irony: When something happens that is contrary to what is reasonably expected.

• Dramatic irony: When the audience knows something important that a character does not.

Metaphor

A comparison between two essentially unlike things without using "like" or "as."

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, or the whole represents a part.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory words are placed together.

Personification

Giving human characteristics or attributes to nonhuman things.

Simile

A comparison between two essentially unlike things using "like" or "as."

Symbol

An object, person, action, or situation that represents something beyond its literal meaning.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the reader's five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.