-Literary Devices: Definitions and Examples

Dr. Angelo List of

Simile

Comparing two unlike objects using like or as. Example: Her smile was as bright as the morning sun.

Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things for a stronger, all-inclusive comparison. Example: Time is a thief that steals our moments.

Personification

Definition: Giving human traits to non-human things. Example: The wind whispered secrets through the trees.

Anthropomorphism

Definition: Giving human form or behaviour to animals or gods. Example: The chickens danced to the tune of the gunfire

Alliteration

Definition: Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words. Example: The brutal battle battered the tired, brittle souls

Assonance

Definition: Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: The long, low howl horrified the weary travellers

Consonance

Definition: Repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end or middle of words. Example: The cold, cruel and truncated lesson was never forgotten

Sibilance

Definition: Repetition of 's' or 'sh' sounds, often for a hissing or soft effect. Example: The silken, sad, uncertain rustling of the sea

Hyperbole

Definition: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Example: It was the thousandth time he had told her his love extended to the moon

Onomatopoeia

Definition: A word that imitates the natural sound of a thing. Example: The fried mushrooms sizzled in the pan

Irony

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

Foreshadowing

Definition: A hint or clue about what will happen later in the story. Example: As she left the house, she could hear the distant gunfire of the redskins

Flashback

Definition: A scene set in a time earlier than the main story. Example: I remember when I first saw Popeye

Symbolism

Definition: When an object, person, or situation represents something beyond its literal meaning. Example: The letter offered her the solace of peaceful times gone by

Imagery (Gustatory)

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of taste. Example: The tangy lemon pie stung her tongue with its sharp zest

Imagery (Tactile)

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch. Example: His fingers grazed the rough bark of the tree

Imagery (Olfactory)

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of smell. Example: The aroma of cinnamon and cloves filled the kitchen

Imagery (Visual)

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sight. Example: Golden sunlight spilt across the rolling hills

Imagery (Auditory)

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sound. Example: The leaves rustled softly in the evening breeze

Polysyndeton.

Allegory

Definition: A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning. Example: Lloyd Jones’ “Mister Pip” is an … for the challenges of colonialism

Allusion

Definition: A brief, indirect reference to something of historical, cultural, or literary significance. Example: It was as if 1939 had returned once again

Anaphora

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: We hid amongst the trees, we hid inside the small crevices…

Anadiplosis

Definition: Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next. Example: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Aposiopesis

Definition: A pause during speech or thinking. Example: “But why would she…?”

Epizeuxis

Definition: Repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession for emphasis. Example: Alone, alone, all, all alone, alone on a wide, wide sea.

Euphemism

Definition: A polite or mild word used in place of a harsher one. Example: She passed away

Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing two elements side by side to present a contrast. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Oxymoron

Definition: A figure of speech where two contradictory terms appear together. Example: Deafening silence.

Paradox

Definition: A statement that contradicts itself but contains a truth. Example: I must be cruel to be kind.

Inversion

Definition: The arrangement of words and phrases in an unnatural order. Example: Crying, she left the room

Motif

Definition: A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. Example: The bible in Mister Pip is often mentioned

Synecdoche

Definition: A part of something represents the whole, or vice versa. Example: All hands on deck!

Epiphany

Definition: A sudden realisation or insight. Example: Matilda finally understood what Mr Watts had been saying about imagination

Anachronism

Definition: Something out of place in time. Example: She opened the handwritten letter next to her laptop and smartphone

In medias res

Definition: Beginning a story in the middle of the action. Example: Everyone called him Popeye

Pathetic Fallacy

Definition: Attributing human emotion to nature or objects. Example: The trees thrashed and whimpered as we waited for the orders to be given

Stream of Consciousness

Definition: A narrative style that portrays a character’s chaotic inner thoughts. Example: I’m tired. Why am I even here? Should I leave? No, they’d notice. Maybe not...

Antagonist

Definition: The character or force opposing the protagonist. Example: One could argue that Delores is this in Mister Pip

Foil

Definition: A character who contrasts with another to highlight traits. Example: George and Lennie's dynamics, Sam and Willie.

Cacophony

Definition: Harsh, discordant sounds. Example: With clanging, banging, and screeching, the redskins tore and cut the houses

Zeugma

Definition: A word (usually a verb or adjective) that applies to more than one noun, blending literal and figurative. Example: She burnt her book and heart

Synesthesia

Definition: Describing one sense using terms from another (mixing of the senses). Example: She had a sweet, velvety voice.

Aphorism

Definition: A brief, witty statement of truth. Example: Less is more

Catharsis

Definition: Emotional release experienced by the audience, often after a tragic event. Example: The visit to Australia and England offers this for Matilda in Mister Pip

Protagonist

Definition: The main character in a story. Example: Matilda in Mister Pip is this (or could it be Mister Watts?)

Rhetorical Question

Definition: A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered. Example: What was the point of denial?

Parataxis

Definition: Placing clauses or phrases one after another without coordinating or subordinating conjunctions. Instead of showing a clear hierarchy among ideas, parataxis gives every part of a sentence equal weight, often using commas or semicolons to separate them. Example: I came, I saw, I conquered. The sun rose, the birds sang, the day began.

Hypotaxis

Definition: Using subordination to show the relationship between clauses. Example: I missed the meeting because I was late and had slept late the previous evening.

Plosive Sound

Definition: A consonant sound produced by stopping airflow and then releasing it suddenly (p, t, k, b, d, g), creating a particular atmosphere. Example: He pushed and pulled and puffed to keep the package protected

Peripeteia

A sudden, unexpected reversal of fortune or change in circumstances. The second phone call from Hally’s mother/ father in MHATB. When Curley’s wife is alone with Lennie, and lets him stroke her hair.

Caesura

A pause in the rhythm of a poem to create emphasis or indicate something is amiss. The moon slid, and the sun skipped, towards sunrise,

Enjambment

A lack of pause in poetry for a continuous rhythm or speeding up the rhythm. The moon slid and the sun skipped towards sunrise capturing the longing