CommonLiterary Devices and Their Definitions (with examples) (From Fiveable.com) (want the 5)

Aesthetic

Related to beauty or artistic expression. Example: The poem's quality lies in its vivid imagery and musical rhythm.

Allegory

A narrative in which characters or events symbolize broader themes (moral, political, etc.). Example: Animal Farm is a symbol of the Russian Revolution.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work. Example: He met his Waterloo in the courtroom.

Ambiguity

Language that allows for multiple interpretations. Example: He gave her cat food (Did he give food to her cat or give her cat food?).

Analogy

A comparison between two things for explanation or clarification. Example: Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds...

Anecdote

A short, personal story used to illustrate a point. Example: Before the lecture on fire safety, the teacher told a story about a kitchen fire.

Antithesis

A contrast of ideas expressed in a balanced structure. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within words. Example: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence. Example: I came, I saw, I conquered.

Chiasmus

A reversal in the order of words in two parallel phrases. Example: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

Colloquial

Informal, conversational language. Example: Gonna instead of going to.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its dictionary definition. Example: 'Home' connotes warmth and family.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end or middle of words. Example: The lumpy, bumpy road.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning from a general principle to a specific case. Example: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word. Example: 'Snake' denotes a reptile, regardless of its connotation of danger.

Diction

Word choice. Example: Using 'slender' instead of 'skinny' for a more positive tone.

Didactic

Intended to teach or instruct. Example: A didactic novel that preaches about environmental responsibility.

Elegiac

Expressing sorrow, often for something lost. Example: The elegiac tone of the poem mourned the death of a friend.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Example: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Ethos

Appeal to credibility or character. Example: As a doctor, I recommend this treatment.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor developed over several lines or throughout a work. Example: Life is a journey filled with winding roads, dead ends, and detours.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Example: The golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning from specific examples to a general conclusion. Example: Every cat I've seen purrs. Therefore, all cats purr.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality. Example: A fire station burns down.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side for contrast. Example: The innocence of youth beside the corruption of age.

Logos

Appeal to logic or reason. Example: Studies show this method improves test scores by 40%.

Metonymy

A figure of speech where something is referred to by something closely associated with it. Example: The pen is mightier than the sword (pen = writing, sword = warfare).

Pacing

The speed at which a narrative progresses. Example: Short, choppy sentences increase pacing during an action scene.

Paradox

A self-contradictory statement that reveals a truth. Example: Less is more.

Parallelism (Parallel Structure)

Repetition of grammatical structure. Example: She likes running, swimming, and biking.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion. Example: Think of the children who suffer every day.

Polysyndeton

Use of many conjunctions. Example: He ran and jumped and laughed for joy.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not to be answered. Example: Isn't it obvious?

Stream of Consciousness

A literary style that captures a character's thought process. Example: I need to buy eggs, and oh—what was that noise?—I think I left the stove on.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole or vice versa. Example: All hands on deck (hands = people).

Syntax

Sentence structure and word order. Example: The boy ran home quickly vs. Quickly, the boy ran home.

Thesis

The central argument or main point of an essay or work. Example: Social media has a damaging effect on adolescent self-esteem.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject. Example: The sarcastic tone mocked the idea of perfection.