Literary devices

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike

things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

Onomatopoeia

Words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are

meant to depict.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human things.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement.

Understatement

Making something seem less important than it

is.

Symbolism

Using symbols to signify ideas.

Allegory

A story with a hidden meaning.

Allusion

a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a

subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a

passing reference.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds at word

starts.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds.

Analogy

A comparison for explanation.

Aphorism

A short statement of truth.

Euphemism

A mild word replacing a harsh one.

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect. A direct answer is

not expected or required.

Repetition

Repeating words/phrases for emphasis.

Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structure.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas in parallel structures.

Foreshadowing

Hints about future events.

Flashback

A scene set in an earlier time.

Juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for contrast or

comparison.

Motif

Recurring element with symbolic meaning.

Theme

The central idea of a work.

Setting

Time and place of a story.

Plot Structure

Sequence of story events.

Tone

Author’s attitude toward the subject or

audience..

Mood

The atmosphere of a piece. The feeling a

reader gets from reading something.

Diction

Word choice.

Syntax

Sentence structure.

Denotation

Literal meaning of a word.

Connotation

Implied meaning of a word.

Characterization

How characters are developed.

Verbal irony

When reality contrasts with expectations.

An author says opposite of what they really

mean.

Point of View

Perspective of narration.

Satire

uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to mock and

critique societal flaws or individuals, often with the aim of

promoting change.

Archetype

Universal character or pattern.

Oxymoron

Contradictory terms together.

Paradox

Contradiction that reveals truth.

Imagery

The author uses words and phrases to create “mental

images” for the reader largely using the five senses.

Ethos

Appeal to ethics/credibility.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion.

Logos

Appeal to logic and reason.