Literary Devices Flashcards
Simile
Definition: A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Purpose: to give the traits of one object to another
Example: “love is like a rose” suggests that love is pretty and sweet, like a rose.
Metaphor
Definition: a comparison between two unlike things NOT using “like” or “as.”
Purpose: to give the traits of one object to another
Example: “her cheeks were polished apples” suggests that her cheeks were red and shiny and round, like polished apples.
Personification
Definition: giving human characteristics to something that is not human.
Purpose: can emphasize a trait of the personified object or concept; it can also give power to the object or concept that is personified.
Example: “The alarm clock screamed at me this morning, rudely interrupting my sleep”
Hyperbole
Definition: Intentional exaggeration
Purpose: For emphasis, humor, or drama
Examples: “I’ve told you a million times”; “My parents are going to kill me!”; “I’m starving!”; “His smile was a mile wide.”
Alliteration
Definition: when neighboring words start with the same sound.
Purpose: to connect words and emphasize an idea, or to create a certain mood through sound.
Examples: “The silent sea swept over the sand” (soothing sound/mood); “cracked and crushed” (jarring sound/mood)
Visual Imagery
Definition: imagery related to the sense of sight
Purpose: To allow the reader to picture a scene or image vividly and to evoke emotion
Examples: His eyes were a stormy sea of grey (This is both visual imagery AND a metaphor)
Sensory Imagery
Definition: Description that pertains to any of the five senses.
Purpose: Makes the writing more vivid and realistic, allowing the reader to feel like they’re experiencing the scene firsthand.
Olfactory Imagery
Definition: This form of imagery pertains to smells and odors.
Purpose: enhances the reader’s sense of experience or familiarity with the story by appealing to their sense of smell.
Example: “The sweet scent of blooming roses filled the air.”
Auditory Imagery:
Definition: Descriptive imagery pertaining to the sense of hearing.
Purpose: makes a description more vivid or a situation more relatable.
Example: “The leaves rustled in the wind, and somewhere in the distance, a lonely owl hooted.”
Kinesthetic Imagery
Definition: This imagery pertains to the movement or action of characters or objects.
Purpose: It helps readers visualize the actions or motions that are happening within the text.
Example: “The soccer player weaved through his opponents and launched the ball into the net.”
Thermal Imagery:
Definition: This type of imagery pertains to the sense of heat or cold (temperature).
Purpose: It helps the reader to more fully immerse themselves in the text by invoking the sensation of temperature.
Example: “The bitter cold wind sliced through his coat, sending chills down his spine.”
Tactile Imagery:
Definition: This imagery pertains to physical textures or the sense of touch.
Purpose: It allows the reader to connect on a deeper level with the narrative by evoking physical sensations.
Example: “The sand was rough and hot under his feet, causing him to quickly step back.”
Gustatory Imagery:
Definition: This imagery pertains to the sense of taste.
Purpose: It allows the reader to imagine the scene more vividly by appealing to their sense of taste.
Example: “The tartness of the lemon made her lips pucker.”
Repetition
Definition: Intentionally using the same word or phrase multiple times in a piece of writing or speech.
Purpose: to emphasize a significant point or theme in the text.
Example: “Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn…” (from T.S. Eliot’s “Ash Wednesday”)
Oxymoron
Definition: a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined.
Purpose: for dramatic effect, to add flavor to the writing, or to provoke thought from the reader.
Example: “deafening silence.”
