Literary Devices

Imagery

Imagery Definition: When a writer uses words to create mental images in the reader’s mind Helps the reader to imagine what the author is writing about Can appeal to sense of sight, smell, touch, feel, or taste

Detail Brings writing to life Gives the reader more information about a place, setting, character, object, etc. Uses adjectives (describing words) Orange Furry Loud Smelly Tiny

Personification Giving human qualities to something non-human Objects, animals, ideas Connects and helps the reader identify with non-human entities Examples: The stars danced in the sky. The wind howled with fury. Taquito was ashamed after destroying my pillow. The pistol glared at me from its holster.

Appeal to Senses Allows the reader to mentally experience what the author is describing Sight: “...plump little cakes called 'petites madeleines,' which look as though they had been moulded in the fluted scallop of a pilgrim's shell.” ―Marcel Proust Smell: “The house smelled musty and damp, and a little sweet, as if it were haunted by the ghosts of long-dead cookies.” ―Neil Gaiman Sound: “Have you ever heard a blindfolded octopus unwrap a cellophane-covered bathtub?”― Norton Juster Taste: “Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine.” ―James Joyce Touch: “Ginger Ale’s tongue scrapes across my skin like 320 grit silicone carbide sandpaper.” ―Mrs. Amos

Characterization

Characterization Definition: Process where an author introduces and describes a character Happens throughout a work

Characterization Explicit: described directly by the author Implicit: shown indirectly Actions Thoughts Speech

Activity - Literary Devices Select a quote that includes striking imagery or characterization. Working in a group of one to four, create a poster that includes: 1) The quote, including the page number. 2) The device represented in the quote (imagery or characterization). 3) An illustration of the quote, including as many details as possible. 4) The names of all members of your group (can be on the back).

Simile/Metaphor

Comparisons Definition: A comparison between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places or concepts Purpose: Take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject)

Simile Definition: A comparison that uses “like” or “as” Poetically explaining how things are like other things Example: Taquito is as fast as a Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Metaphor Definition: A Comparison that does not use “like” or “as” Poetically calling things something else Example: Taquito is not the sharpest crayon in the box.

Example Simile: “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?” Metaphor: “Baby, you’re a firework.”

Conflict

Conflict Definition: A struggle between two opposing forces The challenge main characters need to achieve their goals A single work can have more than one conflict

External and Internal External: struggle between two opposing forces Internal: struggle between two opposing forces within a person

Types of conflict Human vs... Human Self Society Nature Other (supernatural, technology, etc.)

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing Definition: When a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story Helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story

Tone

Tone Definition: an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience The way feelings are expressed

Conveyed through.. Choice of words, images, details, language, sentence structure Point of view (the author’s view and how it affects his/her writing) Syntax (the arrangement of words to create sentences) Author’s level of formality

Tone words

Symbolism

Symbolism Definition: an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning The actions of a character, word, action, or event that have a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story Usually stands for something abstract

Symbolism Helps create meaning and emotion in a story Often relate to a story’s theme A symbol that is repeated is called a motif