Literary Devices Definitions
This literary device compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as.'
What is a Simile?
The wind whispered secrets through the leaves.
What is an example of Personification?
This voice is used when the focus is on the action, not who or what is performing the action.
What is passive voice?
Consisting of just one independent clause, this sentence type has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete thought.
What is a 'Simple Sentence'?
These are used in magazine articles to divide the content into smaller, manageable sections and to give readers a quick idea of what each section is about, helping to organize the article and engage the reader's interest.
What are 'Subheadings'?
This device gives human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas.
What is Personification?
Time is a thief that steals our moments.
What is an example of a metaphor?
In this voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.
What is active voice?
Used to ask a question, this sentence type typically ends with a question mark.
What is an 'Interrogative Sentence'?
This term refers to a group of sentences clustered together to discuss one main idea, helping to structure ideas within texts by breaking down information or narratives into digestible pieces.
What is a 'Paragraph'?
When a writer describes something by stating that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object.
What is a Metaphor?
The clouds were like fluffy cotton balls in the sky.
What is an example of simile?
This term describes a group of words that functions in a sentence as subject, object, or prepositional object, centered around a noun.
What is a noun phrase?
This type of sentence features at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction or semicolon.
What is a 'Compound Sentence'?
This is the greeting at the beginning of a letter that addresses the recipient directly, showing respect and setting the tone for the letter. It's a necessary feature of letters.
What is a 'Salutation'?
The idea that things that come in threes are inherently more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers of things.
What is the Rule of Three?
She packed her bag, checked her passport, and hailed a taxi.
What is an example of the rule of three?
These words are used to describe or modify nouns and pronouns, giving more information about them.
What are adjectives?
This sentence type makes a statement or expresses an opinion and ends with a period.
What is a 'Declarative Sentence'?
These are used to list information, features, or benefits in non-fiction texts, making the information easier to read and understand by breaking it down into short, concise points.
What are 'Bullet Points'?
This device refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object in order to make a comparison in the readers' minds.
What is Allusion?
He was a real Romeo with the ladies.
What is an example of allusion?
This form of a verb is used when the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb, often including a form of 'be' followed by a past participle.
What is a 'Passive Verb'?
Often ending with a period, this type of sentence gives a command or makes a request.
What is an 'Imperative Sentence'?
This term describes the reason an author writes a text: to convince you of something, to give you information, or to entertain you with a story. Understanding this can help readers determine the author's intent.
What is 'Text Purpose'?