Literary Devices A few of Shakespeare’s all-time favourites…

Metaphor A figure of speech in which two unlike objects are compared directly without using “like” or “as”. Example: This assignment was a breeze!

Personification A figure of speech in which inanimate objects, animals, or ideas are given human qualities or abilities. Example: The first rays of morning sunshine tiptoed through the meadow.

Simile A figure of speech that compares two different objects using the words “like” or “as”. Example: Ogres are like onions.

Analogy An analogy is a comparison of certain similarities between two things which are otherwise unlike. Analogies are often used to explain something in terms of another, more familiar, example. Example: Just as the Earth revolves around the Sun, an electron revolves around the nucleus.

Allusion An allusion is a figure of speech that makes reference to people, places, events, literary works, or myths, either directly or implicitly. Example: He was a real Romeo with the ladies.

Soliloquy A dramatic speech uttered by one character speaking aloud while alone on the stage. This allows the audience to hear his or her inner thoughts and feelings while the other characters are left unaware. Example: “ To be or not to be ”, from Hamlet

Foreshadowing A hint or clue early in a narrative that indicates an event (often bad or unpleasant) that will occur later. Example: I felt a cold chill as I walked through the doors of the classroom. Something is bound to go wrong…

Imagery Figurative or descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (NOT just sight!!). Imagery is used to create an emotional response in the reader, because the reader is left with an “image” of the thing that the writer is describing. Example: Grandma's hugs burn my skin, and with all that perfume she wears, sitting next to her is like

Oxymoron A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. The first word usually describes the second, but is also its direct opposite. Examples: Jumbo shrimp Vegetarian meatballs Awfully nice

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in two or more neighbouring words or syllables. Examples: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Dramatic Irony When the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. This is the result of the reader having a greater knowledge than the characters themselves. When Romeo discovers Juliet in the tomb he incorrectly believes she is dead and remarks that: Death has sucked the honey from your breath, but it has not yet ruined your beauty.