By: Tyana Battle

or linguistic technique that produces a effect, esp. a figure of a literary or linguistic technique that produces a specific effect, esp. a figure of speech, narrative style, or plot mechanism

A hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. Example: Im so hungry I could eat a horse. Example: Im so hungry I could eat a horse.

Simile- The practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. Similes are marked by the use of the words as or such as or like. Example: He is like a mouse in front of the teacher. Example: He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.

A metaphor compares two things without using like or as. Example: David was a beast on the football field tonight. Example: David was a beast on the football field tonight. Ty is a Night Owl. Ty is a Night Owl.

The term onomatopoeia refers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict. Example: Quackwent the ducks as we threw them our stale bread. Example: Quack, quack went the ducks as we threw them our stale bread. My dress was fastened and I was finally ready for the wedding. Zip! My dress was fastened and I was finally ready for the wedding.

A synecdoche is a literary devices that uses a part of something to refer to the whole. Example: All hands on deck. Example: All hands on deck. Get your butt over here and sit down. Get your butt over here and sit down.

Oxymoron is a combination of two contradictory terms. Example: Jumbo shrimp.

The term euphemism is used to refer to the literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form. Example: The woman passed away in her sleep. Example: The woman passed away in her sleep.

An expression with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual word. Example: My dad flipped out when his car was stolen. Example: My dad flipped out when his car was stolen.

An expression that has lost its power or originality from overuse. Example: You are moving as slow as molasses. Example: You are moving as slow as molasses.

A humorous play on words, often involving double meaning. Example: Santas helpers are known as subordinate Clauses. Example: Santas helpers are known as subordinate Clauses. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me. I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.

Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence. Example: Alices aunt ate apples and acorns around August. Example: Alices aunt ate apples and acorns around August.

An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification Example: A car is to a garage as a hamburger is to a bun. Example: A car is to a garage as a hamburger is to a bun.

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