literary devices

Simile

Definition: A comparison using “like” or “as”

Example: “Her thoughts fluttered like butterflies, impossible to catch.”

Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things

Example: “Time is a thief that steals our moments.”

Personification

Definition: Giving human qualities to nonhuman things

Example: “The stars danced playfully in the night sky.”

Hyperbole

Definition: Exaggeration for emphasis or effect

Example: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

Alliteration

Definition: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

Example: “She silently slipped through the shadowy street.”

onomatopoeia

Definition: A word that imitates a natural sound

Example: “The bacon sizzled in the pan.”

Irony

Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality

Example: “The fire station burned down.”

Symbolism

Definition: When something represents a deeper meaning

Example: “The dove flew above the battlefield.” (Dove = peace)

Imagery

Definition: Language that appeals to the senses

Example: “The crisp scent of pine hung in the cold, sharp air.”

Oxymoron

Definition: Two contradictory terms placed together

Example: “Bittersweet memories filled the room.”

Diction

Definition: The author’s word choice, which affects tone, mood, and meaning. Diction can be formal, informal, poetic, harsh, soft, abstract, concrete, etc.

Example:

Formal diction: “It is imperative that we proceed with caution.”

Informal diction: “We better play it safe.”

Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing two contrasting ideas, images, or characters close together to highlight their differences.

Example:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” — A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

Here, good and bad are juxtaposed to show the contradictions of the era.

Anaphora

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines, often used to create emphasis or rhythm.

Example:

“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields…” — Winston Churchill