english

Key Literary Devices to Know

1. Metaphor

• Definition: A direct comparison between two unrelated things.

  • Example: "Time is a thief."

  • Purpose: Adds depth by suggesting similarities beyond the literal.

2. Simile

• Definition: A comparison using "like" or "as."

  • Example: "Her smile was as bright as the sun."

  • Purpose: Makes descriptions vivid and relatable.

3. Imagery

• Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

  • Example: "The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room."

  • Purpose: Creates a sensory experience for the reader.

4. Alliteration

• Definition: Repetition of the initial consonant sounds in words.

  • Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

  • Purpose: Adds rhythm and musicality to writing.

5. Personification

• Definition: Giving human traits to non-human objects or ideas.

  • Example: "The wind whispered through the trees."

  • Purpose: Brings objects to life, making them relatable.

6. Hyperbole

• Definition: An exaggerated statement for emphasis.

  • Example: "I’ve told you a million times!"

  • Purpose: Highlights significance or creates humor.

7. Irony

• Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality.

  • Example: A fire station burning down.

  • Purpose: Adds complexity or humor to a story.

8. Symbolism

• Definition: Objects, characters, or events that represent deeper meanings.

  • Example: A dove symbolizes peace.

  • Purpose: Adds layers of meaning to the text.

9. Foreshadowing

• Definition: Hints or clues about future events in the story.

  • Example: "The dark clouds gathered ominously overhead."

  • Purpose: Builds suspense and prepares readers for upcoming events.

1. Characterization

• Definition: How an author develops a character.
  
  
  

  • Static/Dynamic: Static characters don’t change; dynamic characters undergo significant development.

  • Implicit/Explicit: Explicit characterization is directly stated, while implicit characterization is shown through actions, dialogue, and interactions.

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Pick a character from a story you've read and describe their personality and behavior.

  • Identify whether they are static or dynamic, providing evidence from the text.

  • Highlight moments where their traits are shown implicitly or explicitly.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • How does the author reveal the protagonist’s personality in the story? Is the character static or dynamic? Provide examples.

2. Themes/Theme Statements

• Definition: The central idea or message in a story.
  
  
  

  • A theme statement is a complete sentence expressing the theme (e.g., “Love conquers all” or “The dangers of unchecked ambition”).

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Identify recurring ideas or messages in class texts.

  • Practice writing clear theme statements for each story.

  • Consider how the theme applies to real life or connects to other texts.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • What is the main theme of the story? How does the author convey this theme through characters and events?

3. Symbolism

• Definition: Objects, characters, or events that represent deeper meanings.
  
  
  

  • Example: A storm might symbolize chaos or change.

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Look for objects or events that are repeated or given emphasis.

  • Ask: What could this represent in the context of the story?

  • Write down examples of symbolism from class texts and their meanings.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • Identify a symbol in the story and explain its significance. How does it enhance the theme?

4. Irony

• Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality.
  
  
  

  • Situational Irony: Opposite of what’s expected happens.

  • Verbal Irony: Saying one thing but meaning another (sarcasm).

  • Dramatic Irony: The audience knows something the characters don’t.

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Note moments in stories where irony creates tension or humor.

  • Practice explaining why the irony is significant to the story’s theme or conflict.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • How does the author use irony to enhance the story? Provide examples.

6. Types of Conflict

• Definition: Struggles that drive the story’s plot.
  
  
  

  • Internal: Character vs. Self.

  • External: Character vs. Character, Nature, Society, or Technology.

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Identify the main conflicts in class stories and classify them.

  • Consider how the conflict helps develop the theme or characters.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • What is the primary conflict in the story? How does it shape the characters or theme?

7. Narration/Perspective

• Definition: The point of view from which the story is told.
  
  
  

  • First Person: “I” – from a character’s perspective.

  • Third Person Limited: Narrator focuses on one character.

  • Third Person Omniscient: Narrator knows all characters’ thoughts.

• Study Tips:
  
  
  

  • Identify the narrator and their perspective in class texts.

  • Discuss how the narration style impacts the story.

• Practice Prompt:
  
  
  

  • How does the narration style affect the story? Would it be different if told from another perspective?

Here’s a breakdown of different types of essays and different types of hooks, along with tips and examples for each:

Types of Hooks

1. Anecdote

• Definition: A short, engaging story related to the essay topic.

• Example:

  • Essay on resilience: "When I was ten, I failed my first swimming test. Gasping for air, I thought I'd never swim again. But that failure taught me more than any success could."

• Use: Personal, narrative, or persuasive essays.

2. Statistic

• Definition: A surprising or relevant fact or figure.

• Example:

  • Essay on climate change: "Did you know that 97% of scientists agree that human activity is driving global warming?"

• Use: Persuasive or expository essays.

3. Question

• Definition: A thought-provoking question that engages the reader.

• Example:

  • Essay on education: "What would you do if the one thing you depended on to succeed was taken away?"

• Use: Persuasive, narrative, or personal essays.

4. Quotation

• Definition: A relevant quote from a famous person, book, or speech.

• Example:

  • Essay on ambition: "'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' This quote by Lao Tzu reminds us that every accomplishment starts with a small action."

• Use: Persuasive, personal, or descriptive essays.

5. Bold Statement

• Definition: A striking or controversial claim that grabs attention.

• Example:

  • Essay on social media: "Social media is both the greatest innovation of our time and its most dangerous addiction."

• Use: Persuasive or expository essays.

6. Description

• Definition: A vivid description of a scene or event.

• Example:

  • Essay on nature: "The morning sun rose over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink as the birds began their melody."

• Use: Descriptive or narrative essays.

7. Fact

• Definition: A relevant piece of general knowledge or truth.

• Example:

  • Essay on space exploration: "Outer space begins at 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, a boundary known as the Kármán Line."

• Use: Expository or persuasive essays.

Practice Activity

1. Write a hook for this topic: The importance of kindness.

2. Identify which hook type fits this example: "Every year, over 1.5 million animals are euthanized in shelters. But what if we could save them?"

3. Choose a type of essay and write an introductory paragraph with a hook.