Literary Devices Flashcards
Allusion
An indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art
Tacos are my kryptonite.
Allusion
Euphemism
An indirect way of describing something that may be inappropriate or awkward to address directly
He accidentally passed gas in class.
Euphemism
Foreshadowing
When the author hints at events that will happen later in the story
I have a bad feeling about this…
Foreshadowing
Flashback
Part of a story that is set in an earlier time than the rest of the story
Olivia was at her high school graduation when she remembered her kindergarten graduation. She was six years old and walked across the stage confidently, but tripped on her new shoes. She was so embarrassed that she ran off the stage. Now, she hoped she would not do the same thing today.
Flashback
Hyperbole
An exaggerated statement
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
Hyperbole
Imagery
Description that appeals to the senses
The air was crisp, the leaves were orange, and I could see big, round pumpkins in the distance.
Imagery
Irony
A contrast between how things seem and how they really are
A contrast between how things seem and how they really are
Across the street, the fire station burned down.
Irony
Juxtaposition
When two dissimilar characters, themes, concepts are put next to each other to emphasize the differences.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Juxtaposition
Litotes
The use of a double negative to express the opposite sentiment.
You’re not wrong = you’re right.
Litotes
Metaphor
A direct comparison of two things using “is” or “was”.
He is a beast on the court.
Metaphor
Mood
The feeling the setting, attitude, and descriptions of a setting make
The abandoned house creaked as I walked up the stairs. The moon was full and I heard the fluttering of birds leaving the house as I got closer to the door.
_______ = Scary, Suspenseful
Mood
Onomatopoeia
A word that sounds like the thing it is referring to
Crash, Kaboom, Pop
Onomatopoeia
Oxymoron
Two contradictory words that describe one thing
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Oxymoron
Personification
Using human traits for non-human things
The weeds tickled her feet as she ran through the field.
Personification
Polysyndeton
The use of several conjunctions in a sentence for dramatic effect
I went to the orthodontist and school and volleyball practice and a restaurant and then back home and I was exhausted.
Polysyndeton
Repetition
The reuse of a word, phrase, or sentence several times for emphasis
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Repetition
Simile
A comparison of two things using “like” or “as”
He ran as fast as a cheetah.
She shines like the light from the sun.
Simile
Tone
The feeling the audience takes away from a story
“Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur-this lovely world, these precious days …”
Feeling: Peace and acceptance
Tone
Zoomorphism
Using animalistic traits to describe a non-animal, such as a human
Spider-man was bitten by a spider and developed spider-like traits.
Zoomorphism
Zoomorphism
Using animalistic traits to describe a non-animal, such as a human
Spider-man was bitten by a spider and developed spider-like traits.
Zoomorphism
1st Person Point of View
The narrator is in the story and telling the story from their point of view.
I went to Town Lake to paddle board when all of a sudden bats flew over me.
1st Person Point of View
2nd Person Point of View
The narrator is focused on the reader.
You will mix the sugar and eggs together, then you will mix with flour to make the cake.
2nd Person Point of View
3rd Person Objective Point of View
The narrator describes what can be seen/heard, but does not know the thoughts of any character.
They were walking down by the beach when they heard seagulls flying overhead. The squawking was so loud that they dropped their ice cream cones.
3rd Person Objective Point of View
3rd Person Limited Point of View
The narrator tells the story through the perspective of one character whom the narrator knows the thoughts of.
Sally was exhausted as she was selling her seashells. She daydreamed about going home, eating dinner, and then going to bed.
3rd Person Limited Point of View
3rd Person Omniscient Point of View
The narrator is all-knowing and knows the thoughts of all characters in the story.
Ariel was nervous as she woke up on the beach with human legs. Prince Eric saw her on the shore and wondered where he had seen her before.
3rd Person Omniscient Point of View
