Literary Devices and Their Definitions

Alliteration

the occurrence of continuously repeated same sound at the beginning of the word

Allusion

the occurrence of a purposely placed reference to any famous literature, movie, play etc

Analogy

A phrase or thing that represents an idea but for the purpose of comparison and an easier understanding

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the start of successive lines or clauses, used for emphasis or rhythm. "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds..."

Anastrophe

Deliberate inversion of normal word order to create emphasis, rhythm, or euphony. "Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you." —Yoda

Antagonist

The "villian" or the "opposition"

Aside

A brief remark a character makes to the audience (or to another character) that others on stage supposedly do not hear. In Macbeth, Macbeth mutters, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me," while Duncan's party cannot hear him.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, without matching consonants. "Hear the mellow wedding bells" —long "e/eh" sound (Poe)

Blank Verse

Unrhymed iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line, stress on every second syllable). "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?" (Shakespeare)

Characterization (Direct & Indirect)

Direct: A quality in which that is directly said in the text representing the character at hand. Indirect: A quality in which that is indirectly shown, maybe by an action or.

Climax

The turning point of the plot line

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations carried by a word beyond its dictionary meaning. "Home" connotes warmth and family, unlike "house."

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Home

a place where one lives.

Exposition

The upbringing of the story with introductions and characterization occupying this part of the story.

Flashback

a short scene in which the character goes back in time to tell a story or idea without actually going there like reliving the moment.

Foil

A dramatic foil is a direct opposite of a character in which their qualities and personality are in which the exact opposite of one another.

Foreshadowing

An event or the character saying something in which hints to a later event in the story.

Humor

funny lol.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration.

Imagery

The author purposely depicting an image in the reader's mind using certain descriptive words.

Inference

A logical conclusion a reader draws from textual clues plus background knowledge. Seeing 'her umbrella dripped onto the carpet,' you infer it's raining outside.

Irony (All 3 Types)

Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant. Situational: the opposite of what's expected happens. Dramatic: the reader/audience knows something a character doesn't.

Metaphor

A comparison between two things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Metonymy

Substituting the name of something closely associated for the thing itself. 'The White House released a statement' = the U.S. President/administration.

Monologue

A short scene in which the character is reciting a speech of some sort with other characters on the stage.

Mood

the setting mood in which the author purposely wants to impose on the reader.

Motif

a certain singular word that represents a common theme throughout the book.

Narrator (1st person / 2nd person / 3rd person omniscient and limited)

1st person: [definition not provided]. 2nd person: [definition not provided]. 3rd person: [definition not provided].

Onomatopoeia

a word representing a sound.

Parody

a remix of something.

Paradox

A self-contradictory statement that holds a deeper truth.

Personification

giving human characteristics to a non-living thing

Protagonist

the main character

Repetition

repeating something

Resolution

the solution to a problem

Rhetorical Question

A question not meant to be answered but to be analyzed

Rhyme Scheme

Rhyming

Rhythm

A certain rhythm the author is trying to convey through a poem

Rising Action

after the exposition as the action is rising until the climax

Satire

something that is not meant to be funny

Shakespearean Tragedy

A certain storyline adopted by Shakespeare in which everyone basically dies due to the main character not realizing his mistake or smth

Simile

a comparison using "like" or "as"

Soliloquy

A technique in a play where the character on stage is talking to themselves with the audience present usually showcasing their thoughts and feelings for the situation at hand

Symbol

An object representing an idea

Theme

an underlying theme or message throughout the book representing the lessons that is being conveyed throughout the book

Tone

same thing as mood basically but its a shorter form

Tragic Hero

A protagonist of high status whose downfall results from a fatal flaw (hamartia) and evokes pity/fear. Oedipus's determination to find the truth leads him to ruin.