The Reader’s Toolbox: Literary Devices and their Functions

A collection of flashcards covering key literary devices and their functions to aid preparation for the exam.

Simile

A comparison of two unlike objects using the words like, as, or than.

Epic Simile

A detailed and extensive simile that progresses throughout a text, emphasizing many characteristics.

Metaphor

A comparison of two unlike objects without using the words like, as, or than.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that develops and progresses throughout a text, extending the comparison with further details.

Personification

A device in which inanimate or nonhuman objects are portrayed with human characteristics.

Synecdoche

A kind of metaphor in which a specific part of an object is used to represent the whole object.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration, making an idea sound much larger or more significant than it is.

Understatement

The opposite of hyperbole, making an idea or situation seem much smaller or less important than it is.

Verbal Irony

A reversal of meaning in which words are used that appear to mean one thing, but the author's intention is the opposite.

Situational Irony

A reversal of expectations where the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what was expected.

Dramatic Irony

A reversal of expectations of a character, where the reader knows something the character does not.

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but conveys a deeper truth.

Oxymoron

Two terms side by side that seem to contradict each other but suggest a deeper truth.

Classical Allusion

A reference to ancient Greek or Roman mythology to stimulate previous knowledge about myths.

Literary Allusion

A reference to a piece of literature to bring to mind social/historical context or themes.

Historical Allusion

A reference to significant events, periods, or persons in history to highlight larger social issues.

Biblical Allusion

A reference to a biblical book, event, or character to highlight key characteristics relevant to the theme.

Topical Allusion

A reference to contemporary events or people to highlight larger social issues relevant to the theme.

Alliteration

A series of words beginning with the same letter or sound, used to emphasize themes and create auditory images.

Assonance

The repetition of the same vowel sound two or more times in words to create an auditory image.

Consonance

The repetition of the same consonant sound two or more times in words to create an auditory image.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the natural sound of the thing it describes.

Euphony

The use of pleasant-sounding phrases and words to create a soothing tone.

Cacophony

The use of harsh, grating phrases and words to create an unpleasant tone.

Pun

A form of word play that implies two or more meanings within a sentence to emphasize a theme.

Malapropism

The unintentional misuse of a word, used to create a comedic effect and reveal character traits.

Repetition

The repetition of a word or phrase to emphasize a theme or reflect a cycle of repetition.

Asyndeton

The absence of conjunctions in a list, emphasizing the ideas and creating a sense of speed.

Polysyndeton

The repeated use of conjunctions in a list, emphasizing the ideas and creating a sense of abundance.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive sentences to emphasize a theme.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive sentences to emphasize a theme.

Epanalepsis

The repetition of a word/phrase at the beginning and end of a sentence to emphasize the theme.

Anadiplosis

The repetition of a word/phrase at the end of a sentence, and at the beginning of the next sentence.

Symbol

A recurring object in a text that has literal significance and represents a larger idea.

Motif

A recurring image or action in a piece of literature used to emphasize larger thematic ideas.

Apostrophe

An exclamation where the speaker addresses an imaginary or absent person or abstract idea.

Imagery

A description that appeals to one or more senses to create a vivid sensory experience.

Juxtaposition

Two descriptions side by side to force the reader to compare and contrast them.

Pathos

A technique used to persuade the reader to sympathize with a character or situation.

Pathetic Fallacy

When the physical description of a setting reflects the current mood or characteristics of a character.