literary devices Flashcards
Alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity, usually in consecutive words within the same sentence or line.
Anthropomorphism
where animals or inanimate objects are portrayed in a story as people, such as by walking, talking, or being given arms, legs and/or facial features
blank verse
non-rhyming poetry, usually written in iambic pentameter
creative license
exaggeration or alteration of objective facts or reality for the purpose of enhancing meaning in a fictional context
dialogue
where characters speak to one another; may often be used to substitute for exposition
dramatic irony
where the audience or reader is aware of something important, of which the
characters in the story are not aware
exposition
where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something, usually to provide important background information
figurative language
any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual meaning of the words themselves
foreshadowing
where future events in a story or perhaps the outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen
hyperbole
a description which exaggerates
iambic pentameter
poetry written within each line containing ten syllables, in five repetitions of a two syllable pattern wherein pronunciation emphasis is on the second syllable
imagery
language which describes something in detail, using words to substitute for and create sensory stimulations, including visual imagery and sound imagery
irony
where an event occurs which is unexpected, and which is in absurd or mocking
opposition to what is expected or appropriate
metaphor
a direct relationship where one thing or idea substitutes for another
onomatopoeia
where sounds are spelled out as words
oxymoron
a contradiction in terms
paradox
where a situation is created which cannot possibly exist because different elements of it canceled each other out
parallelism
use a similar or identical language, Structures, events, or ideas in different parts of a text
personification 1
where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human self awareness
personification 2
where an abstract concept such as particular human behavior or a force or nature is represented as a person
repetition
where a specific word phrase or structure is repeated several times to emphasize a particular idea
simile
an indirect relationship where one thing or idea is
described as being similar to another
symbolism
the use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas
