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English Literary Devices Study Guide Flashcards

1
Q

Hyperbole Definition

A

A figure of speech that greatly exaggerates the truth for dramatic effect

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2
Q

Why is Hyperbole useful?

A

Shows how extremely someone is doing or views something. Helps the writing express intensity.

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3
Q

Beware of what with Hyperbole?

A

Can cause confusion when exaggerating

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4
Q

Examples of?

I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
My back is killing me
That plane ride took forever.

A

Hyperbole

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5
Q

Metaphor Definition

A

A figurative comparison without using like or as.

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6
Q

Extended Metaphor Definition

A

A figurative comparison without using like or as that continues through multiple sentences or paragraphs.

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7
Q

Why is Metaphor useful?

A

It helps compare one thing to another to help us further understand what the author is saying.

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8
Q

Beware of what with Metaphor?

A

Make sure the metaphor is a quick picture and do not use too many long metaphors as it may confuse the reader.

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9
Q

Examples of?

Billy is the black sheep of the family.
This couch is a fluffy cloud.
Our teacher is a walking encyclopedia.

A

Metaphor

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10
Q

Synecdoche Definition

A

A figure of speech in which a term or a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice versa.

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11
Q

Why is Synecdoche useful?

A

Allows writers to to use a part of something to represent a whole. Allows writers to pack a lot of meaning into a couple of words. It is kind of a metaphor.

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12
Q

Beware of what with Synecdoche?

A

Don’t overuse synecdoches as it may confuse readers because not everyone will get the reference.

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13
Q

Examples of?

Boots on the ground—refers to soldiers.
New wheels—refers to a new car.
Ask for her hand—refers to asking a woman to marry.
The White House—can refer to statements made by individuals within the United States government.

A

Synecdoche

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14
Q

Metonymy Definition

A

The use of the name of one thing for that of another.

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15
Q

Why is Metonymy useful?

A

It can make connections between two things. It is about one thing to exchange for another.

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16
Q

Beware of what with Metonymy?

A

Distinction from metaphor.
Metaphor is comparing, Metonymy is a symbol of one thing.

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17
Q

Examples of?

They speak in their mother tongue.
(tongue->language)
The pen is mightier than the sword.
That fancy fish dish you made was the best of the evening.
Can you give me a hand carrying this box up the stairs?

A

Metonymy

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18
Q

Simile Definition

A

A figurative comparison using the words “like” or “as”.

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19
Q

Why is Simile useful?

A

Helps to figuratively compare two things to help readers understand something.

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20
Q

Beware of what with Simile?

A

Metaphors are also figurative comparisons but in order for the sentence to be a simile, it must contain the word either “like” or “as”.

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21
Q

Examples of?

The necklace was rare as a sunflower in the desert.

She glided through the day like a professional roller skater.

They were like monkeys in the jungle.

I was cold as ice.

A

Simile

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22
Q

Personification Definition

A

Figure of speech using human characteristics towards an inanimate object.

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23
Q

Why is Personification useful?

A

This device is used to make a piece of writing more descriptive. Using Personification helps readers visualize and understand the text.

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24
Q

Beware of what with Personification?

A

When using personification, ensure the verb used is a Human characteristic, otherwise it would not be considered a personification.

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25
Q

Examples of?

The clouds were crying as the streets flooded.
Inanimate object: Cloud
Human characteristic: Crying

When I looked up, the stars winked at me
Inanimate object: Stars
Human Characteristic: Winked

A

Personification

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26
Q

Parallelism Definition

A

Sections of the sentence are the same grammarly or similar the way its constructed

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27
Q

Climatic Parallelism Definition

A

When sections of the sentence are the same grammatically or similar in the way it’s constructed but they also help the text build to a “climax” or main point

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28
Q

Why is Parallelism Useful?

A

It helps the writer find some type of rhythm or order in their writing

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29
Q

Beware of what with Parallelism?

A

A error with parallelism is when the sentence structure is not grammatically parallel

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30
Q

Examples of?

“easy come, easy go”

“Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man”

A

Parallelism

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31
Q

Repetition Definition

A

An instance of repeating or being repeated

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32
Q

Anaphora Definition

A

The repeated use of a phrase at the beginning of a sentence to reinforce the importance of a subject

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33
Q

Why is Repetition useful?

A

places importance on a subject matter by restating the same thing

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34
Q

Beware of what with Repetition?

A

incorrect use of it on unimportant details or using it too much can cause the writing piece to be boring and might be too repetitive for people to be engaged in it

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35
Q

Examples of?

“Go,Go,Go”
-“Hey! I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”

I am going to make a change. I am going to make the people’s voices heard. I am going to be the one people will remember for decades to come.

A

Repetition & Anaphora

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36
Q

Periodic Sentence Definition

A

the use of the sentence’s main clause at the end of the sentence.

37
Q

Why is Periodic Sentence Useful?

A

It helps to emphasize the main clause by using it at the end of the sentence. helps to create suspense in stories.

38
Q

Beware of what with Periodic Sentence?

A

do not use the main clause at the beginning/middle of the sentence.

39
Q

Example of?

As the family sat quietly around the fire, Albert looked around happily, and decided he was not going to move away.

A

Periodic Sentence

40
Q

Rhetorical Question Definition

A

A question not expected to be answered.

41
Q

Why is Rhetorical Question useful?

A

It is a question phrased to make a person think and reflect.

42
Q

Beware of what with Rhetorical Question?

A

Make sure the question is clear, and has the correct tone. “Is the sky blue?” Is not effective question because it doesn’t evoke a thought. “Why deny the blue sky?” Is a better use.

43
Q

Examples of?

What’s not to like?
Who really discovered America?

A

Rhetorical Question

44
Q

Pun Definition

A

a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.

45
Q

Why are Puns useful?

A

it can add humor to writing it can also make you think differently about the text

46
Q

Beware of what with Puns?

A

using it in the wrong context

47
Q

Examples of?

A chicken farmer’s favorite car is a coupe.

The duck said to the bartender ‘put it on my bill’

A

Pun

48
Q

Analogy Definition

A

A comparison between something you have minimal understanding of to something you have lots of understanding, in order to understand something better.

49
Q

Why are Analogies useful?

A

It helps to explain new things by comparing them to things someone may already have a good understanding of

50
Q

Beware of what with Analogies?

A

You can use metaphors and similes to create an analogy however, an analogy is not just a simile or a metaphor (Not just a comparison) It is a comparison in order to explain something.

Make sure you’re comparing the unknown topic to a known topic. Analogies can be complicated at times as you don’t want your 2 topics to sound too similar, they are still separate things. Be sure to clarify the differences as well as the similarities.

51
Q

Example of?

Rugby is similar to football. Rugby has less gear. Although the balls are similar they are thrown in different ways rugby balls are meant to stay lower. Teams move in the same direction towards the opposing team’s side however rugby balls are thrown backwards and footballs are thrown forward, this causes the players setup on the field to be opposite. Rugby also does not stop when the ball or a player hits the ground unlike football.

A

Analogy

52
Q

Unusual Word Order Definition

A

To add emphasis and variation in a sentence by having a verb before the subject.

53
Q

Why is Unusual Word Order useful?

A

To add emphasis and variation to a sentence in order to add an “who” and “what” affect towards the reader.

54
Q

Beware of what with unusual word order?

A

Using a different word order can change the imagery/meaning that you are intending

55
Q

Example of?

Yoda from Star Wars: ‘Powerful (object) you (subject) have become (verb).

A

Unusual Word Order

56
Q

Sentence Fragment Definition

A

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that is either missing a subject or a verb.

57
Q

Why are Sentence Fragments useful?

A

Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that can help create an emphasis on a topic and they are also used to make a strong point.

58
Q

Beware of what with Sentence Fragments?

A

Sentence fragments are much more than just incomplete sentences. They are intentionally used to make a point and writers are often aware that they are missing a certain characteristic that makes sentence fragments incomplete.

59
Q

Examples of?
-After 2pm
-Went to the store yesterday.

A

Sentence Fragments

60
Q

Chiasmus Definition

A

A rhetorical device that states 2 ideas, then repeats it in reverse order. This device is purely cosmetic. However, when used effectively, the device can be powerful.

61
Q

Why is Chiasmus useful?

A

Chiasmus is best used when the reversed idea has different meaning from the first idea. Furthermore, if it amplifies your first statement, the device is even more powerful.

62
Q

Beware of what with Chiasmus?

A

Be careful not to repeat your first statement, or else it would sound repetitive. Furthermore, you have to make sure the reverse of the ideas actually makes sense.

63
Q

Examples of?
One should eat to live, not live to eat.

Fair is foul, and foul is fair. -

A

Chiasmus

64
Q

Opposite/Contrast Definition

A

Words with reverse meaning

65
Q

Antithesis

A

Opposing ideas in close proximity

66
Q

Why are Opposite/Contrast & Antithesis useful?

A

it can be used to compare two completely opposite points, opinions, and objects

67
Q

Beware of what with Opposite/Contrast & Antithesis?

A

contrast doesn’t have to be a literary device and can be a literal comparison of opposing opinions or object

68
Q

Examples of?

  • yes/no
  • big/small
  • easy/difficult
  • clean/dirty
A

Opposite/Contrast

69
Q

Example of?

“it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

A

Antithesis

70
Q

Allusion Definition

A

A reference to something from history, pop culture, literature, etc.

71
Q

Why is Allusion useful?

A

Deepens the reader’s understanding of what you mean in a concise way

72
Q

Beware of what with Allusion?

A

When someone isn’t known about the reference, they can be confused on what the topic might be about

73
Q

Examples of?

Way to go, Einstein
They’re Romeo and Juliet

A

Allusions

74
Q

Litotes Definition

A

An understatement where you claim something to be less than it actually is, while sometimes using a double negative to state a positive.

75
Q

Why are Litotes useful?

A

This literary device is used to under emphasize something by making it seem less than it actually is, or do the opposite and emphasize something by making the reader think about the phrase and why you understated. This device can add humor to your work.

76
Q

Beware of what with Litotes?

A

This is different from irony, think of it like the opposite of a hyperbole.
Not all double negatives are litotes. You must be sure that it is still an understatement.

77
Q

Examples of?

A cup of coffee would not be unwelcome.

Your leg is broken in 3 places so it’s gonna be a little sore for a bit

Look like it rained a lil last night

A

Litotes

78
Q

Verbal Irony Definition

A

A figure of speech that says one thing but means another. Tone is important.

79
Q

Why is Verbal Irony useful?

A

It is useful because it can help develop a point of view. Foreshadow, or make fun of something or someone.

80
Q

Beware of what with Verbal Irony?

A

Beware of the tone so it is not taken literally

81
Q

Examples of?

“This is just what I needed”.

“This day couldn’t start off any better” (after spilling coffee on a white shirt)

A

Verbal Irony

82
Q

Consonance Definition

A

Sounds (Consonants) used in close proximity to one another

83
Q

Why are Consonants useful?

A

It draws the reader’s attention more as when they read the words it makes them sound better and it lingers in the reader’s head for longer

84
Q

Beware of what with Consonsance?

A

It can confuse readers if consonance is used too much as the words may look like each other. It is also difficult to say these sentences due to the words sounding similar and starting with the same letter.

85
Q

Examples of?

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

She sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she sells are surely sea shells. So if she sells shells on the sea shore, I’m sure she sells

A

Consonance

86
Q

Assonance Definition

A

Repeating sounds (vowels) which are close to each other, often leaving poetic impact.

87
Q

Why is Assonance Useful?

A

Assonances may help text flow better, relaying a smoother and more impactful tone. Oftentimes the rhyming of assonance text can result in better memory of the line.

88
Q

Beware of what with Assonance?

A

Some believe that assonances are difficult to use in languages outside of English. Assonances are sometimes a limited or exclusive literary device

89
Q

Examples of?

Chips and Dip
Patience always pays
Surf and turf
No Pain no gain

A

Assonance

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