English Literary Devices

alliteration

the repetition of initial sounds e.g. seven steaks sizzled

allusion

a figure of speech that references a person, place, thing, or event e.g. He was a real Leonardo DiCaprio

anaphora

repetition of the beginning of a sentence e.g. I have a dream that … I have a dream that… etc.

assonance

repetition of vowel sounds e.g. my words like silent raindrops fell. I sigh why did I die

consonance

repetition of consonants e.g. first and last and foremost, odds and ends, stroke of luck, the car is far from the bar

metaphor

comparison between unlike things without using like or as e.g. he was a bull

personification

giving human characteristics to an animal, object, or idea e.g. the tree stood like a lonely soldier

paradox

contradiction e.g. walking is less tiring than standing

onomatopoeia

“sounds words” e.g. snap, click, bang

oxymoron

putting two words with opposite meaning e.g. numbing pain, burning cold

hyperbole

exaggeration e.g. I’m starving to death, the suspense is killing me

simile

comparison between two unlike things USING like or as e.g. she ran fast like a cheetah

symbol

e.g. a wedding ring is symbol of commitment, love, honour etc.