Literary Devices The tools we use to make writing more effective, creative, and interesting.

Simile A simile is a comparison using LIKE or AS “Life is like a box of chocolates”

Metaphor A comparison that does not use LIKE or AS “Life is a highway” Key words for metaphors: “He was the night”, “She became the dance”, “they were fireworks”, “you are the sugar in my coffe”, “Happiness is a warm gun”.

Personification Giving a non-human object a human characteristic. “The tree hugged her as she climbed the branches” “It was the most reliable rocking chair he knew” “The thunder grumbled like an old man” “The wind sang through the window” “The depressed portrait just hung on the wall like an old stain”

Onamatopeia BOOM! POW! BAMF! ZOOM! SPLAT! KAPOW! OH LA LA! OW! ZAP! They’re sound words.

Alliteration The same sound being repeated at the beginning of each word in the sentence. The slithery snake slid down the sandy slope into the sap filled soap.

Hyperbole Exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” “I’ve told you a million times, just do your reading!” “She’s so dumb she put a screen door on the submarine.”

Allusion a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance “Einstein over there got 100% on the test” “It’s a real Catch 22” “I was on a new gaming site and got a Trojan Horse on my computer” “She was such a good Samaritan, she helped everyone in class”