Literary Devices Flashcards
Allegory
Every aspect is of the story is representative
Usually symbolic or Seth else
Larger abstract concept or important historical or geopolitical event
Alliteration (technical)
The repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity
Usually two consecutive words within the same sentence or line
Consonant: not a vowel
Metaphor
Direct relationship where an idea substitutes for another
Oxymoron
A contradiction in terms
Personification
Inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human-like qualities, such as emotions
Parallelism
Use of similar or identical language, structures, events or ideas in different parts of the text
Paradox
Cannot possibly exist because different elements of it cancel each other out
Anthropomorphism
Where animals or objects are depicted as humans in a story
Blank verse
Non-rhyming poetry, usually written in a pattern
Characterization
author’s means of Conveying to the reader a character’s personality, (values, history, etc) Also refers directly to a description thereof
Climax
In a story, the turning point at which the end result becomes inevitable is typically where something suddenly goes wrong. This is the dramatic high point.
Conflict
Conflict is the driving force of a story. It involves opposing forces, which can be between individual characters, groups, society, or purely abstract ideas. The outcome of the story provides a resolution to the conflicts and keeps readers engaged.
Context
Conditions, including facts, social/historical background, time and place etc., surrounding a given situation.
Mood
Mood refers to the emotional atmosphere of a piece within its setting. It conveys the general feeling that the reader is supposed to experience from the text, rather than the state of mind of the author or characters.
Types: Moods can be varied and can include, for example, joy, sadness, anger, anxiety, nostalgia, and many other emotions. The mood of a piece of literature can be conveyed through various literary devices, such as imagery, tone, and setting, among others.
Motif
A repeating idea or image, a motif can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, whereas a theme usually requires a complete sentence.
Irony (technical)
Irony is when something unexpected and absurd happens, in opposition to what is expected or appropriate. It is not mere coincidence, surprise or random occurrences.
Hyperbole
A description that exaggerates, often using extreme language and/or superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute, is commonly referred to as “hype.”
Figurative language (technical)
Figurative language includes techniques like metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, verbal irony, and oxymoron. It is language that uses words in a way that differs from their literal meaning.
Simile
A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Exposition
Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something, usually to provide important background information.
Dramatic Irony
Where the audience or reader is aware of something important, of which the characters in the story are not aware.
Creative license (formal)
Exaggeration or alteration of objective facts or reality, for the purpose of enhancing meaning in a fictional context.
Onomatopoeia
Where sounds are spelled out as words; or, when words describing sounds actually sound like the sounds they describe.
Tones
Serious
Humorous
Satirical :mocking (often social and political)
Cynical : (distrustful and pessimistic ( portraying worst aspects of humanity))
Optimistic
Melancholic : (sad and gloomy)
Romantic
Mysterious
SUspenseful
Empathetic
