Allegory - An allegory is a story that is used to represent a more general message about real-life (historical) issues and/or events. It is typically an entire book, novel, play, etc.

Alliteration - Alliteration is a series of words or phrases that all (or almost all) start with the same sound. These sounds are typically consonants to give more stress to that syllable. You’ll often come across alliteration in poetry, titles of books and poems, and tongue twisters.

Allusion - Allusion is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea originating from outside the text. Many allusions make reference to previous works of literature or art.

Colloquialism - Colloquialism is the use of informal language and slang. It’s often used by authors to lend a sense of realism to their characters and dialogue. Forms of colloquialism include words, phrases, and contractions that aren’t read words (such as “gonna” and “ain’t”)

Epigraph - An epigraph is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other short passage or text at the beginning of a larger text (e.g., a book, character, etc.) An epigraph is typically written by a different writer (with credit given) and used as a way to introduce overarching themes or messages in the work.

Euphemism - A euphemism is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant.

Flashback - A flashback is an interruption in a narrative that depicts events that have already occurred, either before the present time or before the time at which the narration takes place. This device is often used to give the reader more background information and details about specific characters, events, plot points, and so on.

Foreshadowing - Foreshadowing is when an author indirectly hints at — through things such as dialogue, description, or characters’ actions — what’s to come later on in the story. This device is often used to introduce tension to a narrative.

Hyperbole - Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that’s not meant to be taken literally by the reader. It is often used for comedic effect and/or emphasis.

Imagery - Imagery is when an author describes a scene, thing, or idea so that it appeals to our senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, or hearing). This device is often used to help the reader clearly visualise parts of the story by creating a strong mental picture.

Irony - Irony is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning than the one literally expressed by it. There are three types of irony in literature.

• Verbal Irony - When someone says something but means the opposite (similar to sarcasm).

• Situational Irony - When something happens that’s the opposite of what was expected or intended to happen.

• Dramatic Irony - When the audience is aware of the true intentions or outcomes while the characters are not. As a result, certain actions and/or events take on different meanings for the audience than they o for the characters involved.

Juxtaposition - Juxtaposition is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different (usually opposite) ideas, characters, objects, etc. This literary device is often used to help create a clearer picture of the characteristics of one object or idea by comparing it with those of another.

Metaphor/Simile - Metaphors are when ideas, actions, or objects are described in non-literal terms. In short, it’s when an author compares one thing to another. The two things being described usually share something in common but are unalike in all other respects.

A Simile is a type of metaphor in which an object, idea, character, action, etc., is compared to another thing using the words “as” or “like”.

Both metaphors and similes are often used in writing for clarity or emphasis.

Mood - Mood is the general feeling the writer wants the audience to have the writer can achieve this through description, setting, dialogue, and word choice.

Oxymoron - An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. This device is often used for emphasis for humour, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox.

Paradox - A paradox is a statement that appears illogical or self-contradictory but, upon investigation, might actually be true or plausible.

Pathetic fallacy - The attribution of human emotion and conduct to things found in nature that are not human. Often used when describing weather - e.g., rain reflecting a sad mood.

Personification - Personification is when a nonhuman figure or other abstract concept or element is described as having human-like qualities or characteristics. Personification is used to help the reader create a clearer mental picture of the scene or object being described.

Repetition - Repetition is when a word or phrase is written multiple times, usually for the purpose of emphasis. It is often used in poetry (for purposes of rhythm as well).

Satire - Satire is a genre of writing that criticises something, such as a person, behaviour. belief, government, or society. Satire often employs irony, humour, and hyperbole to make its point.

Symbolism - Symbolism refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other idea in a written work to represent something else — typically a broader message or deeper meaning that differs from its literal meaning.

The things used for symbolism are called “symbols,” and they’ll often appear multiple times throughout a text, sometimes changing in meaning as the plot progresses.