Literary Terms and Devices

Alliteration the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of nearby words E.g.: Donald Duck drove dangerously Analogy a comparison based on particular similarity for the purpose of making something clearer or more powerful E.g.: comparing telecommunications to a spider web

Anecdote a brief story about a single humorous or interesting event Cliché an overused, time-worn phrase or description generally considered ineffective and therefore avoided E.g.: puberty is tough

Figurative language language that uses figures of speech, such as simile, personification, and alliteration to create imagery Hyperbole intended exaggeration, that is often used to create irony, humor, or dramatic effect E.g.: There were a thousand people at the school dance. It was awesome.

Imagery words that help create a mental picture description Metaphor a comparison that does not use ‘like’ or ‘as’ E.g.: You are a rose.

Onomatopoeia when word imitates the sound it represents E.g: splash, boom, crackle, buzz, ding, Pathos the quality that evokes pity, sorrow or tenderness E.g.: “All Summer in a Day” and “The Birthday of the Infanta”

Personification a technique where inanimate objects or concepts are given human qualities, form or actions E.g.: The lamp roared as it hit the floor. E.g.: The jet screamed through the night sky.

Repetition the repetition of a word or phrase to add emphasis E.g.: “and rain and rain and rain”

Simile comparison that uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ E.g.: You are like a rose. Symbol something that represents or stands for something else symbolism is the use of symbol E.g.: A rose could symbolize love.