Devices I
A literary device where two or more words in a phrase or line of poetry share the same beginning sound.
Alliteration
A figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. It draws a resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as."
Simile
A figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics.
Metaphor
The voice that an author takes on to tell a story. This voice can have a personality quite different from the author’s.
Narrator
The central character or leading figure in poetry, narrative, novel, or any other story.
Protagonist
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers.
Allusion
A figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words.
Irony
A figure of speech in which a thing, an idea, or an animal is given human attributes. Non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.
Personification
The mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, essay etc.
Point of view
A character or a group of characters that stand in opposition to the protagonist or the main character.
Antagonist
Derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting." A figure of speech that involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.
Hyperbole
To use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.
Imagery
Defined as a word, which imitates the natural sounds of a thing. It creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting.
Onomatopoeia
The process by which the writer shows the character’s personality through speech, actions, and appearance.
Indirect characterization
The author specifically reveals traits about the character in a direct, straightforward manner.
Direct characterization
Refers to repetitive sounds produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase.
Consonance
The repetition of a vowel sound or diphthong in non-rhyming words.
Assonance
A character who contrasts with another character (usually with the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.
Foil
An attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.
Tone
A literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions.
Mood
Refers to the use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing, and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants to achieve desired results.
Cacophony
It can be defined as the use of words and phrases that are distinguished as having a wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create.
Euphony
Refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from a thing which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations.
Connotation
Defined as a style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or writer.
Diction
Determines how the chosen words are used to form a sentence.
Syntax