English literary devices Flashcards
Allegory
A narrative, who’s character and plot depict a deeper more abstract idea or theme then what is initially or superficially perceived
Alliteration
A series of words in the sequence that all start with the same first letter or sound
Allusion
A passing, indirect descriptive reference to something (usually historical)
Anaphora
The repetition of the same word or phrase in a series of clauses or sentences
Anastrophe
figure of speech wherein the traditional sentence structure is reversed
Anthropomorphism
Portraying literally an inanimate object, animal, plant, etc. as a human. Unlike personification, this is done literally not figuratively
Aphorism
a concise, often witty and memorable quote or phrase that often describes and states a universally accepted truth such as “murder is an evil act”
Archetype
An archetype is a “universal symbol” that brings familiarity and context to a story. It can be a character, a setting, a theme, or an action.
Chiasmus
when two or more parallel clauses are inverted
Colloquialism
The use of informal and casual language, even including slang
Cumulative sentence
The addition of extra clauses that give extra information to an already complete and independent clause
Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony is when the readers know more about the situation going on than at least one of the characters involved
Euphemism
Downplaying or utilizing an indirect and “polite” way of describing something too inappropriate or awkward to address directly.
Exposition
when the narrative provides background information in order to help the reader understand what’s going on
Foreshadowing
when the author hints at events yet to come in a story.
Hyperbole
n exaggerated statement that emphasizes the significance of the statement’s actual meaning.
Hypophora
Much like a rhetorical question where the person who asks a question does not want an answer or wants to answer the question themselves to persuade the audience. In a hypophora, though the person raises a question and immediately answers iit themselves
Imagery
Imagery appeals to readers’ senses through highly descriptive language.
Irony
creates a contrast between how things seem and how they really are. There are three types of literary irony: dramatic (when readers know what will happen before characters do), situational (when readers expect a certain outcome, only to be surprised by a turn of events), and verbal (when the intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what was said).
Isocolon
when two or more phrases or clauses have similar structure, rhythm, and even length
juxtaposition
places two or more dissimilar characters, themes, concepts, etc. side by side, and the profound contrast highlights their differences.
Litotes
the signature literary device of the double negative.
eg you’re not wrong
Metaphor
compares two similar things by saying that one of them is the other
Metonymy
Similar to symbolism but unlike symbolism it comes to serve as a synonym for that thing
e.g. the crown represents the monarchy
Motif
Recurs throughout the novel and help develop the theme of the narrative, could be a symbol, concept or image
Onomatopoeia
words that sound like the thing they’re referring to.
Oxymoron
comes from two contradictory words that describe one thing. While juxtaposition contrasts two story elements, oxymorons are about the actual words you are using.
Paradox
It’s a statement that asks people to think outside the box by providing seemingly illogical — and yet actually true — premises.
Personification
human traits to describe non-human things
Polysyndeton
Utilization of several conjunctions in succession
Repetition
repeating of a word or phrase
Satire
Writers use satire to make fun of some aspect of human nature or society — usually through exaggeration, ridicule, or irony.
simile
A simile draws resemblance between two things by saying “Thing A is like Thing B,” or “Thing A is as [adjective] as Thing B.” Unlike a metaphor, a similar does not posit that these things are the same, only that they are alike.
Soliloquy
Describes a character speaking their thoughts aloud, usually at length
Symbolism
tangible objects to represent abstract concepts and ideas in their stories Symbols typically derive from objects or non-human
Synecdoche
the usage of a part to represent the whole.
E.g. wheels - represent the entire car
Tautology
when a sentence or short paragraph repeats a word or phrase, expressing the same idea twice.
Tone
the overall mood and message of your book.
Zoomorphism
when you take animal traits and assign them to anything that’s not an animal.
