Literary Devices in English Literature

Study Notes

Literary devices are techniques used by authors to convey meaning, create tone, and evoke emotions in their writing.

Imagery: language that appeals to the senses to create vivid mental images
- Examples: descriptive language, metaphors, similes, personification
Symbolism: objects, colors, or figures that represent abstract ideas or concepts
- Examples: the American flag, the color red, the rose in "The Scarlet Letter"
Allusion: references to people, places, events, or works of art outside the text
- Examples: biblical references, mythological allusions, historical events
Irony: contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs
- Examples: verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony
Foreshadowing: hints or clues that suggest future events
- Examples: ominous descriptions, prophecies, subtle hints
Hyperbole: exaggeration used for emphasis or effect
- Examples: "I'm so hungry I could eat a whole elephant," "This backpack weighs a ton"
Personification: attributing human-like qualities to non-human entities
- Examples: "the sun smiled down," "the wind howled in anger"
Alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds
- Examples: "she sells seashells," "fluffy feathers"
Onomatopoeia: words that imitate sounds
- Examples: "buzz," "meow," "splash"

Literary devices are techniques used by authors to convey meaning, create tone, and evoke emotions in their writing.

Imagery: language that appeals to the senses to create vivid mental images, using descriptive language, metaphors, similes, and personification.
Symbolism: objects, colors, or figures that represent abstract ideas or concepts, such as the American flag, the color red, or the rose in "The Scarlet Letter".
Allusion: references to people, places, events, or works of art outside the text, including biblical references, mythological allusions, and historical events.
Irony: contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs, including verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.
Foreshadowing: hints or clues that suggest future events, such as ominous descriptions, prophecies, and subtle hints.
Hyperbole: exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, such as "I'm so hungry I could eat a whole elephant" or "This backpack weighs a ton".
Personification: attributing human-like qualities to non-human entities, such as "the sun smiled down" or "the wind howled in anger".
Alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "she sells seashells" or "fluffy feathers".
Onomatopoeia: words that imitate sounds, such as "buzz", "meow", or "splash".