Literary Devices

tone	DEFINITION: an author’s attitude towards his or her subject, characters, or audience EXAMPLE from one of the units: Patrick Henry’s tone changes from respectful to angry towards British loyalists
restatement	DEFINITION: presenting the same idea in different words to highlight an important point EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry states two different ways that slavery will only happen to the colonies if they allow it: “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!”
Direct reference	DEFINITION: a direct quotation or mention of a literary work, historical event, or famous person EXAMPLE from one of the units: In A Raisin in the Sun, George calls Walter Prometheus. Prometheus refers to a titan from the Bible who stole fire from the gods to give it to mortals. Prometheus thought he was a hero only to be punished by the gods for his actions.
Epithet	DEFINITION: the application of a word or phrase that describes a character’s attributes or qualities EXAMPLE from one of the units: In A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is called “One for whom bread is not enough”
Repetition	DEFINITION: using the exact same words in the exact same order to highlight an important point EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry states, “The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come”.
Syntax	DEFINITION: the author’s choice of sentence structure in speech or writing EXAMPLE from one of the units: Huerta states, “Yet we knew the day must come when they would talk to us, as equals.”
Rhetorical Questions	DEFINITION: a question that suggests its own answer and does not require an answer EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry asks the Virginia Convention, “If life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?”
Allusion	DEFINITION: an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry hints to the story of Judas with the line, “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss”.
Diction	DEFINITION: the author’s choice of words in speech or writing EXAMPLE from one of the units: Huerta uses words such as “peonage”, “despair”, and “dispute” to describe the struggle grape workers were experiencing and their poor working conditions.
Imagery	DEFINITION: creates pictures for the reader by describing sights, sound, taste, touch, smell, or movement EXAMPLE from one of the units: The opening stage directions in A Raisin in the Sun describe the apartment in great detail.
Parallel Structure	DEFINITION: stating similar ideas using the same grammatical structure EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry’s famous line, “give me liberty or give me death!”
Analogy	DEFINITION: compares two similar situations, implying that the outcome of one will resemble the outcome of the other EXAMPLE from one of the units: In Speech in the Virginia Convention, Henry compares the British troops invading the colonies to a robber invading a home. They would fight against the robber, so they should fight Britain too.
Foreshadowing	DEFINITION: the use of clues to suggest events that have yet to occur EXAMPLE from one of the units: The poem at the begging of A Raisin in the Sun foreshadowing the different experiences that will happen to each character and their dreams (one will fester, one will explode, etc)
Juxtaposition	DEFINITION: two or more ideas, places, characters, or actions that are placed side by side for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts EXAMPLE from one of the units: In MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he states that he stands “in the middle of two opposing forces” which are Black people who refuse to stand up for justice and the Clergymen who are not afraid to stand up for injustice.
Symbolism	DEFINITION: anything that represents something else on a deeper level EXAMPLE from one of the units: In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama’s plant symbolizes her dreams and the dreams of her family. The fact that the plant is still in its infancy and struggling to grow in its current environment shows how the dreams the family have yet to flourish.
Irony	DEFINITION: a contrast between what is stated and what is meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens EXAMPLE from one of the units: MLK writes, “I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith” as a contradiction to the fact that he actually feels ashamed of them.
Tragic Flaw	DEFINITION: a trait in a character leading to his downfall and the character is often the hero of the literary piece EXAMPLE from one of the units: John Proctor has the tragic flaw of pride in his name that leads him to choose dying as an honest man over living a lie.
Hyperbole	DEFINITION: an exaggeration EXAMPLE from one of the units: Henry states, “They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging”. Henry does not mean that British troops will literally chain people living in the colonies; but they will implement so much oppression and remove freedoms that will make it feel like colonies are chained.
Theme	DEFINITION: a central message or insight EXAMPLE from one of the units: When Emerson states that “to be great is to be misunderstood”, we can create a theme that those who seek greatness will be lonely and misunderstood.
Expanded Moment	DEFINITION: a moment that an author would ordinarily speed past, but instead develops fully to make the reader take notice EXAMPLE from one of the units: In Saltwater Buddha, Yogis describes the moment he surfs a really big wave in great detail, and slowly to build suspense