English Literary Devices

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating one is the other, often used to create vivid imagery and meaning. Example: That party was the bomb

Simile

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as". Example: Her smile is like the sun.

Analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification, showing how they are similar in some aspects. Example: Explaining a complex concept by likening it to a more familiar one.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures for the reader. Example: The golden sun slipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, conveying deeper meanings beyond the literal sense. Example: A dove symbolizes peace.

Personification

A literary device that gives human qualities to non-human objects or abstract concepts. Example: The wind whispered through the trees.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect. Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Irony

A literary device in which the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning or outcome. Example: A fire station burns down.

Juxtaposition

A literary technique that places two or more ideas, characters, or settings side by side to compare and contrast them, often highlighting their differences. Example: The stark contrast between light and darkness.

Paradox

A statement that contradicts itself yet may reveal a deeper truth. Example: "Less is more."

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. It does not describe the reference explicitly. Example: "He has the Midas touch when it comes to business."

Allegory

A narrative that uses symbolic figures, events, or imagery to convey a deeper moral or political meaning. Often, the characters and events represent abstract concepts. Example: Animal Farm

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes, often used to enhance the auditory experience of a text. Example: “Buzz, Pop, Sizzled”

Pun

A form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect. Example: "I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough."

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a sequence of words or syllables, often used to create rhythm or emphasis in poetry and prose. Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Emotive Language

Language that evokes strong feelings or emotions in the audience, often used to persuade or create an emotional response. Example: "The anguished cries of the victim resonated through the courtroom."

Rule of Three

A writing principle that suggests grouping ideas in threes to create a more compelling and memorable narrative, often enhancing persuasion and impact. Example: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often conveying deeper meanings beyond literal interpretations. Example: A rose symbolizing love.

Pathetic Fallacy

A literary device where human emotions are attributed to nature or inanimate objects, often reflecting the emotional state of a character. Example: "The somber sky mirrored her sadness."

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, often used to create rhythm or enhance the mood of a passage. Example: "Hear the lark and harken to the barking of the dark fox gone to ground."

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. Example: "Less is more."

Antithesis

A rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses. Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Rhyme

The repetition of similar sounds at the end of words, often used in poetry and song lyrics to create a rhythmic and musical effect. Example: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are."