Literary Devices
The repetition of the beginning consonant sounds in neighboring words.
Ex: The stealth snake slithered. Cute cuddly kitten.
What is alliteration?
An object, animal, or abstract idea is given human qualities. Ex: The leaves danced about the lawn. That morning, the sun greeted us.
What is personification?
The people and/or animals within a story.
Who are characters?
Cause statements stem from actions and events. Effects are what happen as a result of the action or event.
What is cause and effect?
To tell a story that you would enjoy and makes you laugh.
What is to entertain?
Phrases that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create special effect.
What is figurative language?
An extreme exaggeration or overstatement. Ex: I was so embarrassed that I could have died. It's so hot, I'm melting!
What is an hyperbole?
Conversation between two people in a story; or the speech of characters in a play.
What is dialogue?
Facts, reasons or examples that support the main idea.
What are details?
To give information about a particular topic; to explain why something is important.
What is to inform?
Language that appeals to the five senses; taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. Ex: The yeasty aroma of fresh baked bread filled the kitchen. (smell)
What is imagery?
An implied or direct reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event. Ex: When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and refused to buy anything that wasn't necessary. I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio's.
What is an allusion?
The main problem in the story. It can be a struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions.
What is a conflict?
The order of events in a story from beginning to end.
What is sequential or chronological order?
To convince others to feel a particular way about a topic.
What is to persuade?
The formation of a word by imitating the sound it makes. Ex: buzz, hum, slap, splash
What is onomatopoeia?
An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally. Ex: You are driving me up a wall. Let's get on the ball.
What is an idiom?
The time and place in which a story unfolds.
What is the setting of a story?
A single line of poetry.
What is a verse?
To restate the most important information in a text.
What is summarize?
The practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. Ex: An owl may symbolize wisdom, a vulture may symbolize death or destruction, a lamb may symbolize innocence.
What is symbolism?
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things (without using “like” or “as”). Ex: That new kid in class is really a squirrel. Her eyes were stars.
What is a metaphor?
A topic or discussion of writing; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work. Ex: friendship, courage, loyalty
What is a theme?
A group of sentences about the same topic. Starts with a topic sentence, has several supporting sentences and ends with a concluding sentence.
What a is a paragraph?
The fluency, rhythm and liveliness in writing that make it unique to the writer. Your written personality the „style‟ you write with (friendly, formal, every day, short/long sentences).
What is voice?