Literary Devices

Alliteration Definition Examples The repetition of initial consonant sounds used especially in poetry to emphasize and link words as well as to create pleasing, musical sounds Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers Simon says your sing song voice is simply sublime.

Allusion Definition Examples A reference to a well- known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art to enrich the reading experience by adding meaning. The ship sank like a Titanic. Chocolate was her Achilles’ heel. I’m a regular Einstein when it comes to math.

Flashback Definition Examples Interruption of the chronological (time) order to present something that occurred before the beginning of the story. In the movie Up, the old man has a flashback as he remembers meeting his wife and marrying her, which helps us to better understand why he does not want to leave the house that they have shared.

Foreshadowing Definition Examples Important hints that an author drops to prepare the reader for what is to come, and help the reader anticipate the outcome. In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Romeo says he prefers to die sooner than live without Juliet’s love.

Hyperbole A purposeful exaggeration for emphasis or humor. Definition Examples A purposeful exaggeration for emphasis or humor. If I can’t get a Smartphone, I will die. It is so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. This is so boring, just kill me now!

Imagery Words or phrases that appeal to the reader’s senses. Definition Examples Words or phrases that appeal to the reader’s senses. I could hear the popping and crackling as mom dropped the bacon into the frying pan, and soon the salty, greasy smell wafted toward me. Glittering white, the blanket of snow covered everything in sight.

Irony Definition Examples A technique that involves surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions or contrasts. The Titanic sank; it was called the ship that would never sink. The unpoppable Wubble Bubble Ball popped.

Metaphor Definition Examples comparison of two things essentially different but with some commonalities; does not use “like” or “as,” The alligator’s teeth are white daggers. Their home was a prison. The detective’s face was wooden as he listened to her story.

Onomatopoeia The use of words that imitate sounds. Definition Examples The use of words that imitate sounds. The sheep went, “Baa.” The best part about music class is that you can bang on the drum. It is not unusual for a dog to bark when visitors arrive.

Oxymoron Definition Examples Contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner I know almost exactly how much it will cost me. That was awfully nice of you to do that for me. Stop being a big baby.

Personification Definition Examples Human-like traits and qualities given to an animal, object, or idea, e.g. “The wind exhaled.” The crickets sang their song. The floor reached up and grabbed my leg. The bite of the cold wind.

Repetition Definition Examples Repeating the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and more memorable MKL Jr. “I have a Dream” speech I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live… I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of … I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of …

Simile Comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as,”. Definition Examples Comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as,”. The sound was like fingernails on a chalkboard The whole town was as busy as a bee That zit exploded like a volcano. It is as American as apple pie

Symbol Definition Examples Person, place, or thing that represents something beyond itself, most often something concrete or tangible that represents an abstract idea. Fair as a star, when only one is shining in the sky In Hansel and Gretel, bread symbolizes comfort and bread crumbs symbolize the way home. 

Definition Examples