Literary Terms www.literarydevices.net

epiphany An epiphany is that moment in a story where a character achieves realization, awareness, or a feeling of knowledge, after which events are seen through the prism of this new light in the story.

Smoking epiphany Bill used to smoke a lot. Everyone let him know that it was bad for his health; however, he didn’t pay any attention. One day Bill saw his two-year-old baby trying to grab a stubbed-out cigarette from the ashtray. Seeing this, it suddenly dawned on Bill how terrible smoking was, and he stopped smoking.

analogy An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. 

Atomic analogy Here, an atomic structure is compared to a solar system by using the word “like.” Therefore, it is a simile. Metaphor is used to relate the nucleus to the sun, and the electrons to the planets, without using the words “like” or “as.” Hence, similes and metaphors are employed to develop an analogy. The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun, and electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.

Common analogies Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer. How a doctor diagnoses diseases is like how a detective investigates crimes. Just as a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, so we must come out of our comfort zone. You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard.

metaphor Metaphors are used to express a variety of emotions, images, and expressions by combining and comparing to different objects or situation. Metaphors are one of the most widely used literary devices.

simile A simile is a figure of speech that uses “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison. Similes are typically easy to find.

foreshadowing Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story.