Literary Devices
This is the comparison between two things, typically saying that one thing is another.
What is a metaphor?
Which word is a synonym for magnitude?
A. preservation
B. conviction
C. splendor
D. enormity
What is D?
This is a major broad idea throughout a text and may be stated or implied.
What is theme?
This is the definition of a biography.
What is a written account of another person's life?
This is a genre of text that is real; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct, or describe.
What is nonfiction?
This is an extreme exaggeration.
What is a hyperbole?
“I thought it would be very romantic to live on the peaks amid the whispering pines ...”
Which feeling is being suggested by the use of the word whispering?
A. pride
B. independence
C. comfort
D. sincerity
What is C?
This is an organizational device to create expectation or to set up later developments.
What is foreshadow?
This point of view uses the words "you" and "your".
What is second person?
This is an implied or indirect reference to a familiar person, place, or event in literature.
What is an allusion?
“But you deal with ideas, and you must do it soberly. There is a place for a good earnest journal of protest, but all this levity—this fooling—”
What does the word levity mean?
A . overload of work
B . unnecessary worry
C . uncomfortable silence
D . lack of seriousness
What is D?
This is the attitude of the author or speaker toward the audience, character, or subject.
What is tone?
This is the definition for mood.
The motions or atmosphere of a literary piece.
This is a device in literature where an object represents an idea.
What is symbolism?
This is a statement that seems contradictory or absurd, but contains a deeper meaning.
What is a paradox?
"A lighter touch—that’s what ‘The People’ needs . You’re as heavy as mud .”
What is meant by the simile “heavy as mud”?
A . Business for “The People” is doing poorly .
B . “The People” is too serious of a publication .
C . “The People” has too strict of an editor .
D . Customers of “The People” are unhappy
What is B?
This is the method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits.
What is characterization?
This is the definition of a suffix.
A group of words placed after a word to alter its meaning or change it to a different kind of word.
This is descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; used to create sensory impressions.
What is imagery?
A narrative or visual representation that reveals a hidden meaning, often political or moral.
What is an allegory?
“He was sitting in a deep armchair, so buried in his own thoughts that he was oblivious of our approach.”
How does the suffix “-ous” affect the meaning of the word “oblivious”?
A. It characterizes the Great Actor as being fully unaware of others.
B. It shows that the Great Actor is often known for being unaware of others.
C. It indicates that the Great Actor is partially aware of others.
D. It defines the Great Actor as lacking the ability to be aware of others.
What is A?
This is a recurring element, idea, or symbol in a literary piece.
What is a motif?
This is the definition of inference.
What is a judgement based on reasoning rather than on a direct or explicit statement.
These are visual cues on a page that indicate additional information to guide the reader's comprehension.
What are headings, graphics, charts, etc.? (also called text features)