English Test Unit 1 Literary Devices

Simile

Compares two different, unrelated things using “like” or “as”

Metaphor

Compares two unrelated things by stating that one thing IS the other, without using “like” or “as”

Personification

Gives human traits, emotions, intentions, or actions to non-human things

Pathetic Fallacy

Human emotions, feelings, or intentions are attributed to nature, inanimate objects, or animals

Hyperbole

Use of obvious, deliberate exaggeration

Oxymoron

Puts two contradictory or opposite words side by side to create a new, striking effect, humour, or deeper meaning

Onomatopoeia

A word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound it describes

Alliteration

Two or more neighbouring words or syllables share the same initial consonant sound

Euphemism

A polite, mild, or indirect word or expression substituted for one that is considered harsh, blunt, or offensive

Colloquialism

A word, phrase, or expression used in relaxed, everyday, informal conversation rather than in formal speech or writing

Symbolism

Using an object, person, action, or word to represent a deeper abstract idea beyond its literal meaning

Allegory

Use of symbolic characters, places, and events to tell a hidden message about real life moral, political, or social ideas

Allusion

A brief, indirect reference to a famous person, place, event, work of art, or story

Foreshadowing

An author plants early hints, warnings, or clues about events that will happen later in a story

Juxtaposition

The act or technique of placing two or more things, ideas, or character side-by-side to compare, contrast, or reveal a surprising effect

Metonymy

Replace the name of a thing with the name of something else that is closely related or associated with it

Synecdoche

A part of something that is used to refer to the whole, or the whole is used to refer to a part

Dramatic irony

The audience or reader knows crucial information that the characters in a story do not

Situational irony

When the actual outcome of an event is the exact opposite of what you reasonably expect to happen

Verbal irony

A speaker says one thing but means the opposite, relying on context, tone, or shared understanding to convey their true intent