Literary Devices and Rhetorical Strategies: Definitions and Examples

Alliteration

Repetition of the same sound or letter at the start of nearby words. Like a tongue-twister parade: "Peter Piper picked…"

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next. Like a relay race—one sentence hands the baton to the next.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive clauses. Like each verse of a song starting the same way to build rhythm.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Like an echo that closes every line the same way.

Antimetable

Reversing the order of words in the second half of a sentence. Like flipping a pancake—same ingredients, different side.

Antithesis

Placing opposites side by side in balanced structure. Like a see-saw of ideas—"best of times, worst of times."

Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structure in a series. Each verb wears the same outfit: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Loose Sentence

Main idea comes first, then details follow. Like unwrapping the gift before reading the card.

Periodic Sentence

Main idea comes last, after buildup. Like a drumroll before the punchline.

Zeugma

One word modifies two ideas in different ways. One word doing double duty: "She broke his car and his heart."

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word. No feelings—just facts.

Connotation

"emotional flavor"→ Same word, different vibe — "home" feels warm, "house" feels cold.

Didactic

Writing that teaches a moral or lesson. Teacher mode turned on.

Pedantic

Overly academic or precise to the point of being dull. That classmate who corrects your grammar mid-sentence.

Colloquialism

Informal, conversational language. How people actually talk—"gonna," "y'all."

Idiom

Common expression whose meaning isn't literal. "Break a leg" = good luck, not hospital time.

Allusion

Indirect reference to something well-known. Like name-dropping history or pop culture.

Analogy

Comparison between two unlike things through shared traits. A mental bridge: brain is to mind as engine is to car.

Oxymoron

Pairing contradictory terms. Opposites handcuffed together—"bittersweet."

Paradox

Self-contradictory statement that reveals truth. A mind-puzzle—"Less is more."

Metonymy

Replacing a word with something closely related. "The crown" = the king; "the White House" = the government.

Motif

Repeated symbol or idea with meaning. A background melody that keeps coming back.

Onomatopoeia

Word that imitates a sound. Comic-book noises: "bang," "buzz," "crash."

Irony

When the opposite of what's said or expected happens. Like a fire station burning down.

Sarcasm

Mocking remark often using irony. "Nice job," when someone clearly messed up.

Satire

Using humor or irony to criticize stupidity or flaws. Comedy with claws—like an SNL skit.

Parody

Imitation that exaggerates for humor. A funny remix of something serious.

Euphemism

Softer phrasing for something harsh. Putting a pillow over a blunt truth—"passed away."

Understatement

Making something seem less important. Calling a hurricane "a bit windy."

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis. "I've told you a million times!"

Wit

Smart, quick humor that shows cleverness. Makes you laugh and think at once.

Homily

Serious talk or sermon giving moral advice. A spiritual pep talk.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting things side by side for effect. Light beside dark—so the difference jumps out.