Literary Devices Overview

Literary Devices

• Anecdote is a short story about an interesting incident, often personal and based on real people. It can be humorous but doesn't have to be.

• Allusion is an indirect reference to something that is not identified but is intended to be recognized.

• Simile compares two dissimilar things or ideas using the words “like” or “as”.

• Metaphor compares two dissimilar things or ideas without using the words “like” or “as”.

• Hyperbole exaggerates an idea or statement.

• Understatement positions an idea or statement as less important or weaker than what it is.

• Explicitly stated facts are facts directly stated in the text.

• Quotations can be used to begin or end a piece of writing. They can often be inspiring or memorable and can add emotion to the main topic or theme.

• Rhetorical Questions are questions where there is no intended answer, or the answer is implied or obvious. They can be an effective way to make a point.

Sound Devices

• Onomatopoeia occurs when the meaning of a word is reflected in its sound.

• Rhyme occurs when words within the same sentence or grouping have similar sounds, usually in the ending syllables.

• Assonance occurs when a vowel sound in nearby words is repeated

• Consonance occurs when a consonant sound in nearby words is repeated.

• Alliteration occurs when two or three words in sequence begin with the same sound (not necessarily the same letter).

Techniques

• Humor can be used to entertain.

• Repetition of ideas, phrases, and words can be very effective and is often used for emphasis.

• Parallelism refers to repeating components of a sentence.

• Personification describes an object figuratively with human traits to craft a vivid image of that object in the reader's mind.

• Symbolism uses an object to represent an abstract concept and thereby provide deeper meaning. It gives an object, idea, or action a meaning more significant than or different from its literal definition.

Literary Devices

• Anecdote: A short story about a real-life event, often personal and humorous.
• Allusion: An indirect reference to something not explicitly identified, meant to be recognized.
• Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as" between two dissimilar things or ideas.
• Metaphor: A comparison between two dissimilar things or ideas without using "like" or "as".
• Hyperbole: An exaggeration of an idea or statement for emphasis.
• Understatement: Presents an idea or statement as less important than it actually is.
• Explicitly stated facts: Directly stated information within the text.
• Quotation: A direct quote from a source, often used to begin or end writing.
• Rhetorical Question: A question posed without an expected answer, aiming to emphasize a point.
• Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate the sounds they describe.
• Rhyme: Words with similar sounds, usually in the ending syllables.
• Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
• Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words.
• Alliteration: Repetition of the same sound at the beginning of two or more words in a sequence.
• Humour: Can entertain and engage the audience.
• Repetition: Repeating ideas, phrases, or words for emphasis.
• Parallelism: Repeating sentence structures or components for a rhythmic effect.
• Personification: Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
• Symbolism: Using an object to represent a larger, abstract concept.