1. A look at literary devices
Elements of Style
A look at literary devices

2. Figures of Speech
Expressions that are not literally true, but suggest similarities between unrelated things

3. Examples He is tied up in traffic. That check you wrote bounced!
I sat at the foot of the bed.

4. Simile
Compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”

5. Examples of Simile Her hands were like ice.
Life is like a box of chocolates.
More examples

6. Metaphors
Compares two unlike things directly without using a word of comparison, such as “like” or “as”

7. Examples of Metaphor His heart is made of stone.
Lewis is a rotten skunk.
More examples

8. Personification
Describes something nonhuman as if it had human qualities

9. Examples of Personification
A falling leaf danced in the breeze.
The sun smiled on our cookout.
More Examples

10. Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginning of words
Often used in tongue twisters
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
See Sally sell seashells by the seashore.
More examples

11. Idiom Expressions that are particular to a language or group.
An expression that cannot be understood from the meaning of its separate words, but must be learned as a whole.

12. Examples of Idiom That book blew me away!
Literal: a gust of wind came up from the book and lifted me into the air.
Figuratively: I liked the book a lot.
It’s raining cats and dogs!
Literal: Cats and dogs are falling from the sky
Figuratively: It’s raining very hard.

13. Hyperbole An exaggeration--not to be taken seriously.
usually used in humorous poems or light-hearted prose.
it can be used to make fun of someone or something.

14. Examples of Hyperbole I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse! I’m hungry.
I’m doing a million things right now.
I’m busy.
Your sister's so skinny, she has to run around in the shower to get wet.
She is thin.

15. The End!