Literary and Rhetorical Devices

Metaphor

A direct comparsion between two unlike things without using “like or as”

Simile

a comparison using “like” or “as”

Allusion

a reference to a well-known work, event, or figure

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side for contrast

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true

chiasmus

grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form

Parallelism/ Anaphora

Similar grammatical structure for effect

Irony

a contrast between expectation and reality. verbal, situational, dramatic

tone

the author’s attitude toward the subject

mood

atmosphere or emotional setting created by a piece of writing. it is how the reader feels when reading the text.

imagery

language that appeals to the senses

symbolism

using an object or action to represent a deeper meaning

syntax

sentence structure or word order

personification

giving human character to non-human things

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds

diction

word choice, especially in regard to tone or style

connotation

the implied or emotional meaning of a word

denotation

the literal dictionary definition of a word

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for a word or expression considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

antithesis

contrasting ideas in a parallel structure

apostrophe

addressing an absent or imaginary person or abstraction

understatement

intentionally making something seem less important

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration for emphasis

idiom

an expression that has a figurative meaning unrelated to the literal meaning

asyndeton

omission of conjunctions for a concise, dramatic effect

polysyndeton

use of multiple conjunctions for emphasis

motif

a recurring element (symbol, idea, image) that develops a theme

allegory

a story with two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic

magical realism

The story’s main conflict is intentionally vague and involves something unusual and supernatural, but this happens alongside a very realistic, ordinary life of very typical characters

modern gothic

gloomy settings, supernatural occurrences, and psychological exploration, but often with a contemporary twist ; complex, troubled characters grappling with dark secrets or moral ambiguity

direct characterization

author directly tells about the character

indirect characterization

author shows information about the character through, speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, looks

theme

the underlying message or central idea that a story conveys about life, human nature, or society

lens

a perspective or framework through which something is viewed or understood; can be the author or it can be the author and the character in the story

literary rhetoric

the art of using language effectively and persuasively to influence an audience. It encompasses the strategies and techniques writers and speakers use to craft their message and achieve a specific purpose, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or evoke emotion.