Literary Devices

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words for effect. Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."

Allusion

An indirect reference to a well-known figure, event, or work of art. Example: The title The Fault in Our Stars alludes to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Analogy

A comparison between two things to explain a similarity. Example: Explaining the brain as 'a computer processing vast amounts of information.'

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Example: 'I've told you a million times to clean your room!'

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Example: 'The golden sunset spilled across the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.'

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, often humorous or poignant. Example: A fire station burning down.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unrelated things. Example: 'Time is a thief that steals our moments.'

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth. Example: 'The only constant in life is change.'

Personification

Attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

Simile

A comparison using like or as. Example: 'Her laughter was like music to my ears.'

Symbolism

Using an object or element to represent an abstract idea. Example: A dove often symbolizes peace.