LITERARY DEVICES Flashcards
IDIOM
An idiom, derived from the Greek word idí?ma, is a saying, phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. An idiom gains its meaning through repetition in popular culture, and is often introduced via literature, media, famous people, or associations that originally make sense but lose their literal meaning.
ALLUSION
A subtle or passing reference to an event, person, place, other text, etc. that is intended to be noticed by readers (though isn’t always picked up on).
ANALOGY
Uses two similar concepts or ideas to create a relationship or draw comparisons between the two.
CHARACTERISATION
The process by which characters are introduced, described and then fully formed through their choices, interactions, etc.
EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
Words chosen to create a specific emotional response in the reader, often linked to the word’s connotations and commonly used in highly emotional or descriptive scenes/situations.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Language, words and/or expressions that have meaning beyond their literal interpretation, often used to express links between ideas, characters and concepts or subtly tie into overall themes.
HYPERBOLE
The purposeful over-exaggeration of a statement in order to create a more intense or over-the-top effect.
IMAGERY
Words used to create an idea or mental image of something, most often found in descriptions or created through descriptive language.
INTERTEXTUALITY
This occurs when one text makes reference to another text, either obviously or in a more subtle way (e.g. allusions) in order to make a point or draw links between the two.
JUXTAPOSITION
Placing one character, idea, theme, object, setting, etc. parallel to another in order to compare and contrast the two.
TONE
Mood is similar to atmosphere, however it focuses more on the emotional or mental feeling the author has towards certain subjects or ideas and how they express that in the text.
ONOMATOPOEIA
A word that it the ‘sound’ of what it represents, allowing the reader to ‘hear’ what is occurring.
PATHETIC FALLACY
This involves giving any non-human object or nature some kind of human feelings or senses.
