Literary Devices

Literary Devices 1

100

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words (e.g., "She sells sea shells by the seashore.").

Alliteration

200

Words that mimic sounds (e.g., "buzz," "sizzle," "bang.").

Onomatopoeia

300

Comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as" (e.g., "Her smile was as bright as the sun.").

Simile

400

Giving human characteristics to non-human objects or ideas (e.g., "The wind whispered through the trees.").

Personification

500

Extreme exaggeration for effect (e.g., "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.").

Hyperbole

Literary Devices 2

100

Two contradictory words used together (e.g., "bittersweet," "deafening silence.").

Oxymoron

200

Direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as" (e.g., "Time is a thief.").

Metaphor

300

5. Using an object, character, or action to represent a larger idea or concept (e.g., a dove symbolizing peace).

Symbolism

400

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Foreshadowing

500

Repetition of vowel sounds in non-rhyming words (e.g., "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.").

Assonance

Literary Devices 3

100

Interruption of the chronological sequence with an event from the past.

Flashback

200

The emotional atmosphere experienced by the reader.

Mood

300

A narrative with a double meaning—one literal and one symbolic.

Allegory

400

The writer's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style.

Tone

500

Repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end or middle of words (e.g., "Pitter-patter, tick-tock.").

Consonance

Literary Devices 4

100

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art.

Allusion

200

A play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar-sounding words

Pun

300

mild or indirect word substituted for one that might be harsh or unpleasant (e.g., "passed away" instead of "died").

Euphemism

400

A story with two levels of meaning—literal and symbolic

Allegory

500

a phrase or expression whose meaning is not directly deducible from the literal definitions of its individual words. ie "Spill the beans": To reveal a secret.

Idiom

Literary Devices 5

100

A contrast between expectation and reality.

Irony

200

Saying the opposite of what is meant.

Verbal Irony

300

When the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Situational Irony

400

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Dramatic Irony

500

Placing two contrasting ideas, characters, or events close together to highlight differences.

Juxtaposition