Literary Devices #1
A brief, indirect reference in a text to a person, place, event, or work of literature, history, religion, or culture that the author expects the reader to recognize.
What is an allusion?
The overall feeling or atmosphere that a reader gets from a story. It’s how you feel while reading, created through setting, word choice, and details.
What is mood?
A direct comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
What is a simile?
The author’s attitude toward the subject, shown through word choice and style.
What is tone?
The underlying message or central idea of the story—the big idea the author wants you to take away.
What is a theme?
A clue or warning in the story that hints at what will happen later.
What is foreshadowing?
When an object, person, place, or action represents something beyond its literal meaning—usually an idea, quality, or concept. Writers use symbolism to convey deeper meanings without stating them outright.
What is symbolism?
A direct comparison between two unlike things (without using “like” or “as”).
What is a metaphor?
Giving human traits (feelings, actions) to non-human things.
What is personification?
A recurring element in a story—an image, object, phrase, or situation—that has symbolic significance. It keeps showing up to reinforce an idea or mood. Think of it as a pattern that hints at something bigger.
What is a motif?
When the opposite of what you expect happens, or when there’s a contrast between what’s said and what’s true.
What is irony?
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell).
What is imagery?
When an object, word, or idea stands for something deeper.
What is symbolism?
Soup, faith, night, fire, and fear are all examples of...
What are motifs?
Soup, barracks, Elie's gold tooth, night, fire, & shoes are all examples of...
What are symbols?