NBE literary devices

Allegory

Allegory

objects, events / people in literary work - SYMBOLIC OF PAST object, event / people in fiction of history. (2 neighbours throwing rocks at each other's home, symbolic of war between countries)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds (Becky's beagle barked and bayed, becoming bothersome for Billy)

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art (Pocahontas)

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things with at least one common quality. (she's as blind as a bat)

Anecdote

A story related to the thesis or argument, elaborates on it. (Back in my day I had to walk three miles to the watering hole just to brush my teeth)

Archetype

idea so common that its considered universal.
(hero, Caregiver, Explorer)

Contrast

Use of opposing elements / idea
(Night and day)

Diction

Author's word choice / style (Slang)

Dramatic Irony

Audience knows something characters don't
(Romeo thinks Juliet is dead, audience knows she ain't)

Foreshadowing

Warning / indication of future event

Hyperbole

exaggeration, for stronger affect
("I waited in line for ages!)

Imagery

Words engaging the 5 senses
(He fumed and charged like an angry bull)

Litotes

obvious understatement for stronger, humorous effect
(Being tortured with fire must be somewhat uncomfortable)

Metaphor

A direct comparison without using like or as
(My mouth is on fire!)

Mood

Atmosphere
(My smile broadened, that was going to be a fantastic day)

Motif

Recurrent, symbolic element
(Hunger Games - fire and hunting = Katniss)

Nemesis

Punishment for crime committed - getting what one deserves

Paradox

Confusing sounding statement, that actually makes sense.
(Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind)

Pathetic Fallacy

Nature reflects human emotions.
(Sunny day for graduation) haha funny horse

Personification

Human qualities given to objects and animals.
(Flowers lifted their heads upwards for warm sun rays)

Pun

Joke from word's double meaning or sound
(A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat!)

Repetition

Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis
(It is what it is)

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as"
(She sit there LIKE a bump on a log)

Situational Irony

Opposite of what is expected happens
(Police station getting robbed)

Suspense

Tension caused by not knowing what's gong to happen, or anticipating what's going to happen

Symbol

Concrete object that represents an abstract idea
(Stars are associated with magic, inspiration, importance - spiritual symbols - Star of Bethlehem)

Theme

Writer's main point, idea, message
(Coming of age)

Tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character - created through writer's diction
(It's STRANGE that our teacher has not assigned us any work in the past three weeks.
It's AWESOME that our teacher hasn't given us any work in the past three weeks!
It's INSANE that our teacher hasn't given us anything to work on for three weeks!)

Verbal Irony

Sarcasm - thing said but the opposite is meant
("Break a leg")

Funny

non-verbal ques

Juxtaposition

One thing contradicting another
(MacDonald ad next to weight loss ad)