Literary Devices (A-Z)

allegory

a story that offers both a literal and figurative interpretation. The story is symbolic on every level: characters, plot, theme

allusion

a reference to something in history, literature, culture, society, science, etc.

alliteration

repetition of consonant sounds

apostrophe

directly addressing something that is dead, not human, or not present

anachronism

the placing of a person, event, or thing outside of its historical era. Most often this is done purposefully

archetype

narratives, designs, patterns, or character types often found in literature

assonance

repetition of vowel sounds

connotation

the implied meaning of a word

denotation

the literal meaning of a word

diction

word choice

elements of plot

exposition, rising action, complications, climax, falling action, denouement/resolution

epithet

a descriptive phrase used to describe a person or thing- often used in place of it

figurative language

Language that is used in a non-literal way for added meaning and effect

foreshadow

to hint at future events

genre

A term that denotes a type of literature or literary form

hyperbole

a great exaggeration

imagery

use of sensory details to describe something

dramatic irony

when the audience/readers know something the character doesn't

verbal/literal

when the literal meaning is the opposite of the implied

situational irony

when a scene or story ends that opposite way one would expect

juxtaposition

an intentional placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

implied metaphor

when an indirect comparison is made between two different things

metaphor

a direct comparison between two different things

meter

A recognized pattern of beats and stresses in verse-rhythm

mood

the feeling or atmosphere of a work

motif

A specific element, event, things that reoccurs through a specific work for added meaning

onomatopoiea

writing out the sound something makes

oxymoron

contradictory terms are used in conjunction

paradox

A statement that appears to be untrue or impossible, but upon reflection or in context is true

pun

A play on a word's multiple meaning

personification

giving non-human things human qualities

Repetition

repeating the same words, phrases, passages for emphasis

rhyme

Repeating the same stressed vowel sounds

satire

poking fun at a social institution, person, ideology in hopes of changing it or at the least exposing its flaws

simile

a comparison of two different things by showing similarities

symbol

a tangible thing that represents an intangible one. Pay attention to how people treat symbols-it reveals how they feel about what is represents

syntax

the order of words

tone

author's attitude towards the subject matter

understatement

Deemphasizing something in hopes of drawing attention to it