Literary Devices Reference Guide

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental literary devices, figures of speech, and sensory imagery categories found in literature.

Foreshadowing

A literary device in which an author hints at or suggests events that will occur later in the story, creating a sense of anticipation and tension.

Simile

A figure of speech and literary device that compares two things using "like" or "as" to help readers understand and visualize abstract concepts or ideas.

Irony

A literary device in which statements or situations are contradictory to what appears to be true, allowing authors to contrast expectations versus reality.

Situational Irony

A type of irony that occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens in a particular situation.

Verbal Irony

A type of irony that occurs when a person says something but means the exact opposite.

Sarcasm

A specific type of verbal irony in which a speaker says something but means the opposite.

Dramatic Irony

A type of irony that occurs when the audience knows something that the characters in a story do not, generating tension and suspense.

Personification

A literary device and type of metaphor where human traits, actions, or characteristics are applied to something that is nonhuman.

Symbolism

A literary device that uses symbols to convey abstract ideas, emotions, and themes rather than their literal meaning.

Onomatopoeia

A literary device in which a word is formed based on the sound associated with it, mimicking natural sounds to create vivid sensory experiences.

Imagery

The use of descriptive language in writing to create vivid, sensory experiences for the reader by appealing to sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.

Literal Imagery

A form of imagery that describes something based directly on how it actually is in reality.

Figurative Imagery

A form of imagery that uses non-literal or metaphorical language to imply meaning to the reader.

Visual Imagery

Imagery that appeals specifically to the sense of sight.

Auditory Imagery

Imagery that appeals specifically to the sense of hearing.

Olfactory Imagery

Imagery that appeals specifically to the sense of smell.

Gustatory Imagery

Imagery that appeals specifically to the sense of taste.

Tactile Imagery

Imagery that appeals specifically to the sense of touch.

Hyperbole

A rhetorical device where language is exaggerated to emphasize a point, create drama, convey strong emotions, or add humour.

Exaggerate

To present something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.

Metaphor

A figure of speech applied to an object or speech with a non-literal meaning that describes one thing by using language normally used for another, often using a form of "is".

Alliteration

A literary device that uses a sequence of words that have a similar consonant sound in a sequence.