LITERARY DEVICES- NOTES

ALLUSION His nose was growing like Pinocchio’s. EXAMPLES: His nose was growing like Pinocchio’s. He was a real Romeo with the ladies. Chocolate was her Achille’s heel. I thought the software would be useful, but it was a Trojan Horse.

ALLUSION DEFINITION: ALLUSION = an indirect or passing reference to a person, place, or thing of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance

HYPERBOLE I am so hungry I could eat a horse. EXAMPLES: I am so hungry I could eat a horse. If I don’t get a smartphone, I will die. She is as thin as a toothpick. He has millions of video games.

exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis HYPERBOLE DEFINITION: HYPERBOLE = exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis

IMAGERY It was dark and dim in the forest. EXAMPLES: It was dark and dim in the forest. The fresh and juicy orange was cold and sweet. She ran her hands over the soft satin fabric. He whiffed the aroma of brewed coffee.

IMAGERY DEFINITION: IMAGERY = language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in a way that appeals to our physical senses

JUXTAPOSITION Calm and chaos Beauty and ugliness Dark and light EXAMPLES: Calm and chaos Beauty and ugliness Dark and light Weakness and strength

JUXTAPOSITION DEFINITION: two or more ideas, places, characters and/or actions placed side by side for the purpose of developing contrasts

METAPHOR America is a melting pot. Life is a rollercoaster. EXAMPLES: America is a melting pot. Life is a rollercoaster. Time is money. The world is a stage.

METAPHOR DEFINITION: METAPHOR = implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two different objects (without “like” or “as”)

SIMILIE As big as an elephant Like two peas in a pod EXAMPLES: As big as an elephant Like two peas in a pod As clean as a whistle Like fingernails on a chalkboard

SIMILIE DEFINITION: SIMILE = direct comparison between two different things using the word “like” or “as”

SYMBOL Dove represents peace. A red rose stands for love. EXAMPLES: Dove represents peace. A red rose stands for love. A broken mirror represents separation.

SYMBOL DEFINITION: SYMBOL = A symbol, typically an object, used to signify ideas and qualities that are different from the symbol’s literal sense; the meaning given is deeper and more significant

PERSONIFICATION The wind whispered through dry grass. EXAMPLES: The wind whispered through dry grass. Time waits for none. The fire swallowed the forest.

An animal, idea, or thing is given human attributes PERSONIFICATION DEFINITION: PERSONIFICATION = An animal, idea, or thing is given human attributes