Literary Devices: Definitions, Examples PDF

1-20 # Literary Device Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 1 Allegory A narrative that 14th Greek Animal Farm as...

1-20 # Literary Device Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 1 Allegory A narrative that 14th Greek Animal Farm as an conveys a hidden century (allēgoria) allegory for the meaning, often Russian Revolution. moral or political. 2 Alliteration Repetition of 16th Latin (litera) "Peter Piper picked a consonant sounds century peck of pickled at the beginning of peppers." words. 3 Allusion A reference to 16th Latin "He was a real Romeo another work, century (alludere) with the ladies." person, or event. 4 Anachronism A historically 17th Greek (ana- + A character in a out-of-place detail. century khronos) Shakespeare play using a wristwatch. 5 Analogy A comparison for 15th Greek "Finding a good man clarification. century (analogia) is like finding a needle in a haystack." 6 Anaphora Repetition of a 16th Greek (ana- + "I have a dream… I phrase at the century pherein) have a dream…" - beginning of MLK Jr. sentences. 7 Antithesis A contrast of ideas 16th Greek (anti- + "It was the best of in a balanced century tithenai) times, it was the worst structure. of times." 8 Aphorism A concise 16th Greek "The early bird statement of truth century (aphorismos) catches the worm." or principle. 9 Assonance The repetition of 18th Latin "The rain in Spain vowel sounds. century (assonare) stays mainly in the plain." 10 Asyndeton Omitting 17th Greek (a- + "I came, I saw, I conjunctions century syndetos) conquered." between clauses. 11 Bildungsroma A novel that 19th German Jane Eyre is a classic n focuses on the century (bildung + Bildungsroman. protagonist’s roman) growth. 12 Cacophony Harsh, jarring 17th Greek "Jabberwocky" by sounds in century (kakophonia) Lewis Carroll. language. 13 Chiasmus A reversal of 17th Greek "Ask not what your grammatical century (chiasmos) country can do for structure in you—ask what you successive can do for your phrases. country." 14 Climax The most intense or Ancient Greek (klimax) The final battle in exciting moment in Harry Potter and the a story. Deathly Hallows. 15 Colloquialism Informal or 18th Latin "Gonna" instead of conversational century (colloquium) "going to." language. 16 Connotation The emotional or 16th Latin "Home" vs. "House" cultural meaning century (connotare) (home feels warm and beyond the safe). dictionary definition. 17 Consonance The repetition of 16th Latin "Pitter patter, pitter consonant sounds. century (consonare) patter." 18 Denotation The literal 17th Latin "Snake" = a reptile dictionary meaning century (denotare) (denotation) vs. a of a word. sneaky person (connotation). 19 Diction The choice of 15th Latin (dictio) Shakespeare’s poetic words in writing or century diction. speech. 20 Dramatic Irony When the audience Ancient Greek Oedipus unknowingly knows something Greece (eironeia) marrying his mother. the characters don’t. 21-40 # Literary Device Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 21 Ekphrasis A vivid description Ancient Greek (ekphrasis - Keats’ Ode on a of a work of art. Greece "description") Grecian Urn. 22 Ellipsis Omission of words 16th Greek (elleipein - "I went to the mall for effect. century "to leave out") on Monday, and she on Sunday." 23 Epigraph A short quote at the 18th Greek (epi- + Fitzgerald’s The beginning of a century graphein) Great Gatsby has work. an epigraph. 24 Epiphany A sudden 14th Greek (epiphaneia When Hamlet realization. century - "manifestation") realizes the futility of life. 25 Epistolary A novel written as 17th Latin (epistola - Dracula by Bram Novel letters or diary century "letter") Stoker. entries. 26 Epithet A descriptive Ancient Greek (epitheton) "Alexander the phrase expressing Greece Great." a quality. 27 Euphemism A mild or indirect 16th Greek (eu- + "Passed away" way of saying century pheme) instead of "died." something harsh. 28 Foil A character who 19th Latin (folium - Draco Malfoy as contrasts another century "leaf") a foil to Harry character. Potter. 29 Foreshadowin Hints about future 16th English (fore- + "The evening was g events. century shadow) still. Suddenly, a cold wind blew…" 30 Frame Story A story within a 14th Latin (frama) Frankenstein has story. century a frame narrative. 31 Hamartia A tragic flaw Ancient Greek Othello’s leading to a Greece (hamartanein - "to jealousy. character’s err") downfall. 32 Hyperbole Extreme 16th Greek (hyperballein "I’ve told you a exaggeration. century - "to throw beyond") million times!" 33 Imagery Descriptive 14th Latin (imago) "The golden sun language appealing century dipped below the to the senses. horizon." 34 In Medias Res Starting a story in Ancient Latin (in medias res The Odyssey the middle of Greece - "in the middle of begins in medias events. things") res. 35 Irony A contrast between Ancient Greek (eironeia) A fire station expectation and Greece burning down. reality. 36 Juxtaposition Placing two 17th Latin (juxta - "next "It was the best of contrasting things century to") times, it was the side by side. worst of times." 37 Litotes Understatement Ancient Greek (litotes - "He’s not the using double Greece "simplicity") brightest bulb." negatives. 38 Malapropism The misuse of a 18th English (Mrs. "He’s the word for humorous century Malaprop pineapple of effect. character) politeness" (instead of pinnacle). 39 Metaphor A direct Ancient Greek (metaphora - "Time is a thief." comparison without Greece "transfer") "like" or "as." 40 Metonymy Substituting a word 16th Greek (metōnymia) "The White with something century House issued a closely related. statement." 41-60 # Literary Device Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 41 Motif A recurring theme 19th century French (motif) Light and dark in or symbol. Romeo and Juliet. 42 Narrative The point of view in Ancient Latin (narrare) First-person in The Perspective a story. Catcher in the Rye. 43 Onomatopoeia A word that Ancient Greek "Buzz," "sizzle," imitates sound. Greece (onomatopoiia) "bang." 44 Oxymoron A combination of 17th century Greek (oxy- + "Deafening contradictory moros) silence." words. 45 Paradox A self-contradictory 16th century Greek "The only constant statement with (paradoxon) is change." truth. 46 Parallelism Repetition of 16th century Greek "Like father, like grammatical (parallelos) son." structures. 47 Parody A humorous 16th century Greek (paroidia) Don Quixote is a imitation. parody of chivalry. 48 Personification Giving human traits 15th century Latin (persona) "The wind to non-human whispered through things. the trees." 49 Polysyndeton Excessive use of 16th century Greek (poly- + "We lived and conjunctions. syndeton) laughed and loved and left." 50 Prologue An introduction to a Ancient Greek (prologos) The prologue in story. Greece Romeo and Juliet. 51 Pun A play on words. Ancient Latin (punctum) "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." 52 Red Herring A misleading clue. 19th century English A detective novel leading readers astray. 53 Rhetorical A question not Ancient Greek "Who knows?" Question meant to be Greece (rhetorikos) answered. 54 Satire Using humor to 16th century Latin (satura) Gulliver’s Travels criticize. satirizes politics. 55 Simile A comparison Ancient Latin (similis) "As brave as a using "like" or "as." Greece lion." 56 Soliloquy A speech given by 16th century Latin Hamlet’s "To be or a character alone (soliloquium) not to be" speech. on stage. 57 Symbolism Using symbols to 16th century Greek A dove as a represent ideas. (symbolon) symbol of peace. 58 Synecdoche Using a part to 16th century Greek "All hands on represent the (synekdoche) deck." whole. 59 Theme The central idea of Ancient Greek (thema) The theme of love a work. in Pride and Prejudice. 60 Tragic Flaw A weakness Ancient Greek (tragikos) Macbeth’s leading to a Greece ambition. character’s downfall. 61-80 # Literary Device Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 61 Understatement Making something 18th English "It’s just a seem less century scratch" (for a important than it is. deep wound). 62 Utopia A perfect society. 16th Greek (ou- "not" + Thomas More’s century topos "place") Utopia. 63 Dystopia A society 19th Greek (dys- "bad" 1984 by George characterized by century + topos "place") Orwell. suffering or oppression. 64 Verisimilitude The appearance of 17th Latin (veri "true" + The detailed being real or true. century similis "like") world-building in The Lord of the Rings. 65 Vignette A brief, evocative 18th French (vignette The short description. century "little vine") descriptions in The House on Mango Street. 66 Palindrome A word or phrase Ancient Greek (palin "A man, a plan, a that reads the "again" + dromos canal, Panama!" same forward and "running") backward. 67 Portmanteau A word blending 19th French (porter "Brunch" two others. century "carry" + manteau (breakfast + "coat") lunch). 68 Anagram A rearrangement Ancient Greek (ana- "Silent" → of letters to form "again" + gramma "Listen." another word or "letter") phrase. 69 Epizeuxis Repeating a word Ancient Greek (epi- "Never, never, for emphasis. Greece "upon" + never give up!" zeugnunai "to yoke") 70 Tautology Redundant 16th Greek (tauto- "It’s déjà vu all repetition of century "same" + logos over again." meaning. "word") 71 Hypophora Raising a question Ancient Greek (hypo- "Why do we love and immediately Greece "under" + phora literature? answering it. "carrying") Because it speaks to us." 72 Aposiopesis A sudden break in Ancient Greek (apo- "If you do that speech. Greece "away" + siōpaein one more time, I "to be silent") swear—!" 73 Chremamorphism Giving inanimate Modern Greek (chrema "She was as cold characteristics to term "thing" + morph as steel." humans. "form") 74 Anthimeria Using one part of Ancient Greek (anti- "I’ll Google it." speech as another. Greece "against" + meros (verbing a noun) "part") 75 Epimone Repeating a Ancient Greek (epi- "Why now? Why phrase Greece "upon" + mone here? Why me?" persistently. "staying") 76 Antanaclasis Repeating a word Ancient Greek (anti- "We must all with different Greece "against" + hang together, or meanings. anaklasis we will surely "bending back") hang separately." 77 Paraprosdokian A sentence ending 20th Greek (para- "I’ve had a in an unexpected century "against" + perfectly way. prosdokia wonderful "expectation") evening, but this wasn’t it." 78 Appositive A noun or phrase 14th Latin (appositus "My brother, a renaming another century "placed near") doctor, is noun. visiting." 79 Epanalepsis Repeating the first Ancient Greek (epi- "The king is word at the end of Greece "upon" + dead, long live a sentence. analēpsis the king!" "resumption") 80 Homograph Words spelled the Ancient Greek (homo- "Lead" (to guide) same but with "same" + vs. "lead" (the different graphein "to metal). meanings. write") 81-100 # Literary Definition First Origin Example Device Recorded Usage 81 Homophone Words that sound Ancient Greek (homo- "There," "their," and the same but have "same" + "they’re." different meanings. phone "sound") 82 Spoonerism Switching initial 19th Named after "You have hissed the sounds of words. century Rev. William mystery lecture." Spooner 83 Eponym A name that Ancient Greek (epi- "Sandwich" (from the becomes a "upon" + Earl of Sandwich). common word. onyma "name") 84 Liturgical Religious Ancient Latin (liturgia) "Amen" and Language language. "Hallelujah." 85 Acronym A word formed 20th Greek (akros "NASA" (National from initials. century "tip" + onyma Aeronautics and "name") Space Administration). 86 Backronym A false acronym. 20th English "POSH" (supposedly century "Port Out, Starboard Home"). 87 Polyptoton Repetition of a root Ancient Greek (poly- "Love is an irresistible word with different Greece "many" + ptōsis desire to be irresistibly endings. "case") desired." 88 Diacope Repetition of a Ancient Greek (diakopē "To be, or not to be!" word or phrase Greece "cutting in two") with words in between. 89 Merism Referring to Ancient Greek (meros "Flesh and bone" something by Greece "part") (meaning the whole listing its parts. body). 90 Dysphemism A harsh or impolite 20th Greek (dys- "Snail mail" for postal term instead of a century "bad" + pheme mail. neutral one. "speech") 91 Autonym A self-referential 20th Greek (auto- "Noun" is a noun. word. century "self" + onyma "name") 92 Heteronym Words spelled the 20th Greek (hetero- "Lead" (to guide) vs. same but century "different" + "lead" (metal). pronounced onyma "name") differently. 93 Anadiplosis Repeating the last Ancient Greek (ana- "Fear leads to anger. word of one clause Greece "again" + Anger leads to hate." at the beginning of diplous the next. "double") 94 Euphony Pleasant, 18th Greek (eu- "Season of mists and harmonious sound. century "good" + phone mellow fruitfulness." "sound") 95 Catachresis A strained or Ancient Greek (kata- "Mowing the beard" mixed metaphor. Greece "down" + (instead of shaving). chrēsis "use") 96 Pleonasm Using more words 16th Greek (pleon "I saw it with my own than necessary. century "more") eyes." 97 Neologism A newly coined 20th Greek (neo- "Selfie." word. century "new" + logos "word") 98 Logorrhea Excessive 19th Greek (logos Overly long speeches. wordiness. century "word" + rhoia "flow") 99 Paraphrase Restating 16th Greek (para- Summarizing a story. something in century "beside" + different words. phrasis "speech") 100 Zeugma A word applied to 16th Greek "He stole my heart two different things century (zeugnynai "to and my wallet." in different ways. yoke") # Term Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 101 Homophone Words that sound Ancient Greek (homo- "There," "their," and the same but "same" + "they’re." have different phone meanings. "sound") 102 Spoonerism Switching initial 19th Named after "You have hissed the sounds of words. century Rev. William mystery lecture" instead Spooner of "missed the history lecture." 103 Eponym A name that Ancient Greek (epi- "Sandwich" (from the Earl becomes a "upon" + of Sandwich). common word. onyma "name") 104 Liturgical Religious Ancient Latin (liturgia) "Amen" and "Hallelujah." Language language. 105 Acronym A word formed 20th Greek (akros "NASA" (National from initials. century "tip" + onyma Aeronautics and Space "name") Administration). 106 Backronym A false acronym. 20th English "POSH" (supposedly century "Port Out, Starboard Home"). 107 Polyptoton Repetition of a Ancient Greek (poly- "Love is an irresistible root word with Greece "many" + desire to be irresistibly different endings. ptōsis "case") desired." 108 Diacope Repetition of a Ancient Greek "To be, or not to be!" word or phrase Greece (diakopē with words in "cutting in between. two") 109 Merism Referring to Ancient Greek (meros "Flesh and bone" something by Greece "part") (meaning the whole listing its parts. body). 110 Dysphemis A harsh or 20th Greek (dys- "Snail mail" for postal m impolite term century "bad" + mail. instead of a pheme neutral one. "speech") # Term Definition First Origin Example Recorded Usage 111 Auto-antony A word that means Ancient Greek (auto- "self" + "Dust" (can mean m both itself and its anti- "against" + to remove dust or opposite. onoma "name") to add it). 112 Collocation Words that 20th Latin (collocatio "Fast food" or frequently appear century "arrangement") "strong tea" (not together. "quick food" or "powerful tea"). 113 Hypocorism A pet name or Ancient Greek "Kitty" for "cat" or affectionate form of Greece (hypokorizesthai "to "Bobby" for a word. use pet names") "Robert." 114 Mondegreen A misheard lyric or 20th Coined by Sylvia "Olive, the other phrase. century Wright reindeer" instead of "All of the other reindeer." 115 Tmesis Inserting a word Ancient Greek (tmesis "Un-freaking-belie inside another Greece "cutting") vable!" word or phrase. 116 Eggcorn A misheard word 21st Coined by linguist "Old-timers' or phrase with a century Geoffrey Pullum disease" instead logical of "Alzheimer’s replacement. disease." 117 Paronym A word that sounds Ancient Greek (para- "Affect" and similar but has a "beside" + onyma "effect." different meaning. "name") 118 Capitonym A word that 20th Latin (capit- "head" "March" (a month) changes meaning century + onoma "name") vs. "march" (to with capitalization. walk). 119 Oronym A phrase that 20th Greek (oro- "Four candles" vs. sounds like century "boundary" + onoma "Fork handles." another phrase. "name") 120 Cranberry A morpheme that 20th Named after "Cran-" in Morpheme has no century "cranberry" "cranberry" (no independent standalone meaning outside a meaning). word.