Literary Devices

Alliteration → The repetition of the same initial consonants of words or of stressed syllables in any sequence of neighboring words

Purpose: Alliteration highlights a particular part of a piece through the repetition of initial consonants. The repetition of certain sounds creates emphasizes not only the words in the passage themselves but on the pattern, creating a musical effect.

Example: American Airlines, Best Buy, Coca-Cola

Allusion→ An indirect or passing reference to an event, person, place, or artistic work Purpose: Allusion allows the audience to connect the characteristics of one object/concept to another. More often than not, an allusion in a literary work refers to some feature of another, previous literary work. Example: One everyday example of an allusion is “This place is a Garden of Eden.” Literally, the place probably isn’t evocative of the biblical Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis, but the intended meaning is that the setting is a paradise.

Antithesis→ A device used to create contrast by placing two parallel but opposite ideas in a sentence Purpose: Antithesis literally means opposite, but the rhetorical definition calls for parallel structures of contrasting words or clauses. These opposing words or clauses are placed in close proximity within a sentence in order to create a focal point for the reader. Example: A well-known example of antithesis is “Speech is silver, but silence is gold.” The two opposites, speech and silence, are compared to one another by using the stratified value of silver and gold.

Imagery→ Visually descriptive or figurative language Purpose: Imagery is used to characterize objects, actions, and ideas in a way that appeals to our physical senses. The true purpose of imagery is to create a visual imagination of the scenarios or things being described. Example: Again, consider the diction of the piece. Imagery is created by the writer’s choice of words. Evocative words that arouse the senses—touch, sight, smell, etc.—are indicators of imagery at work.

Irony→ The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite of what the writer intends to achieve a humorous effect or to add emphasis. Purpose: A writer utilizes irony to show that the words they use do not necessarily represent their intended meaning. Further, irony can be manifest as a situation that does not pan out the way that the audience, speaker, or characters believe it will Example: A common example of irony is the nickname “Tiny” for a large man. We know and see that a large man is not, in fact, tiny, yet we employ the nickname ironically.

Oxymoron→ A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction Purpose: An oxymoron is a juxtaposition of two opposing words with the intended effect of creating emphasis through the nonsensical nature of this device. Oxymoron is used to characterize conflicting emotions, thoughts, or occurrences. Example: An easy example of oxymoron is a two-word, adjective and noun construction such as original copy

Anology→ Comparing two things or instances in time often based on their structure and used to explain a complex idea in simpler terms Purpose: Analogies are typically used to clarify or explain an author’s idea to the reader by likening a new idea to an older, better known one. They typically appear as similes that allow the reader to more easily understand the author’s meaning. It’s important for the reader to be able to understand or able to infer using context clues the meaning of the comparison. Example: An everyday example of an analogy that appears as a simile is “nails on a chalkboard.” Readers understand the assaulting sound of nails on a chalkboard and are encouraged to liken it to some new occurrence that is assaulting or annoying.

Conceit→ a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects Purpose: It functions as a way to deepen a writer's meaning and can surprise or amuse the reader. Example: There is a famous conceit at the heart of the film Forrest Gump: Life is like a box of chocolates. The entire movie explores this idea that “you never know what you're going to get” by having Gump experience many different aspects of American society over a generation.

Dramatic Irony→ occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know Purpose: The purpose of dramatic irony in creative writing is to engage the reader with the story. The writer does this by privileging the reader with information that the characters do not have. This creates a sense of tension between what the reader knows and how the characters behave. Example: In Romeo and Juliet, the title characters commit suicide because they don't know about each other's plans.

Epiphany→ Sudden enlightenment or realization, a profound new outlook or understanding about the world usually attained while doing everyday mundane activities. Purpose: Epiphany is used in literature to create plot shift, character development, and moments of transcendence for characters, readers, or both. Example:Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice realizes that she was wrong about Mr.Darcy after reading his letter explaining his actions.

Foil Character→ A character that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another. Purpose: Authors use foils to help their readers recognize and understand the important qualities, characteristics, and motivations of the various characters. In other words, foil characters help to explain why other characters do what they do. Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Mercutio is famous for being Romeo’s foil character. While Romeo is a whimsical lover, Mercutio doesn’t see the big deal. In fact, he’s skeptical of love. Romeo is anything but, and it shows. Their opposite attitudes about love make them foil characters, and Mercutio’s “whatever” attitude works to show the depth of Romeo’s feelings.

Paradox→ Statement which seems to contradict itself Purpose: In literature, a paradox is a device used to force the reader to consider a statement or idea more deeply or critically than at face value. It is a statement or idea that seems illogical, but upon further analysis, does make sense. Example: Hamlet: ''I must be cruel, only to be kind''. Animal Farm: ''All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. '