Literary Devices

1. Literary Devices

2. Alliteration • The repetition of a beginning consonant sound within a phrase or sentence. • Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore

3. Assonance • The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds found within or at the end of words and phrases. • “The fellow called her mellow yellow” • “Hear the mellow wedding bells”

4. Consonance • The repetition of consonant words within or at the end of words in a phrase or sentence. • Betty bought a bit of bitter butter.

5. Allusion • A direct or indirect reference to a significant person, event, time, or work of literature. • Chocolate was her Achilles heel.

6. Analogy • To compare similar concepts, characters, or works of literature so the reader better understands a difficult idea. • “I feel like a fish out of water”

7. Cliché • An expression that has been used so often that it’s meaning and impact are no longer effective. • Time will tell • There is no place like home

8. Connotation • The suggested meaning of a word or a phrase • Childlike has a youthful, naïve positive connotation, while Childish has a negative scornful connotation. Both words are used to describe someone’s immaturity.

9. Dialogue • The representation of conversation within a literary work • “Hey, how are you?” asked Jane to which Joe replied “I’m doing great, thanks!”

10. Euphemism • A polite word or phrase used in place of an offensive or crude word or phrase • She’s pushing up daisies • He’s feeling under the weather

11. hyperbole • Using exaggeration to provoke strong emotion, create humor, or make a point. • I’ve told you a million times to clean your room! • I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

12. Idiom • An expression that is clear only to those who are familiar with the language of it’s origin; cannot be understood based on a literal meaning. • It’s raining cats and dogs • My little finger told me/ A little birdie told me

13. Imagery • The use of figurative language to paint a picture for the reader. • “On a starry winter night in Portugal…”

14. Irony • What results when the actual outcome differs from what is expected. • A traffic cop is suspended because of unpaid parking tickets.

15. Metaphor • To compare similar things or ideas without using the words “like” or “as” • She was fairly certain that life was a fashion show.

16. Onomatopoeia • A word or words that sound like the action or thing they describe or represent. • The slick snake slithered through the sand.

17. Oxymoron • To combine two words or contrasting meanings to convey a single idea or thought. • Jumbo Shrimp • Pretty ugly

18. personification • To attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects, natural forces, or ideas. • Smiling moon • Vengeful ocean

19. Pun • The use of similar or identical sounding words to create an alternate meaning to the sentence in which they are used. • Puns can be really punny • I'm glad I know sign language, it's pretty handy.

20. Symbol • A thing, person, or place that is present as a representation of a larger meaning • Colors • Objects

21. Theme • An abstract idea or ideas that dominate a literary work. • Annabel Lee- Young love never dies.