Literary Devices
Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are being compared. Example: Mr. Fern is a ray of sunshine in the morning. He is the apple of my eye. These children are little monsters. Remember… this is figurative language… do not take metaphors literal.
Simile A figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared by using the words “like” or “as”. Examples: My problems are as big as an elephant. My dog runs like a baby deer. That puppy is cute as a button. Remember… this is figurative language… do not take similes literal.
Hyperbole An exaggerated statement or claims not meant to be taken literally. Examples: I read a million books over the summer. He is as thin as a toothpick. That house over there must cost about a bazillion dollars.
Alliteration Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. …behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!- Minerva McGonagall Fat Freddy framed phat Francis- Mr. Fern
Assonance Assonance refers to repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase. “Do not no gentle into the good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight, … Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” -Dylan Thomas
Onomatopoeia The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. Examples: Meow Quack Pow and Bam
Irony There are three kinds of irony Dramatic-Irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. Verbal- A person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. Situational- A situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.
The sun is smiling down on you today Personification The practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals. The sun is smiling down on you today
Symbolism The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.
Motif The literary device ‘motif’ is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through the entire body of literature.
Archetype An archetype is a reference to a concept, (a person or an object) that has served as a prototype of its kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again.
Mood Mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions. “The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on.”- Charles Dickens
Tone Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.
Diction Diction refers to the author’s choice of words.
Theme The author’s message (i.e. about human beings, life, perspectives etc.) A theme is the central topic of the text. Themes can be divided into two categories: a work's thematic concept is what readers "think the work is about" and its thematic statement being "what the work says about the subject. It’s ok to be who you are True beauty comes from the heart