Literary devices Flashcards
Anthropomorphism
Where animals or inanimate objects are portrayed in a story as people
Blank verse
Non rhyming poetry usually written in iambic pentameter
Creative license
Exaggeration ir alternation of objective facts or reality for the purpose of enhancing meaning in 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 are not aware of
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 literal meaning of the words themselves
Foreshadowing
Where future events in the story or perhaps the outcome are suggested by the author before they happen
Hyperbole
A description which exaggerates
Iambic pentameter
Poetry written with each line containing ten syllables in five repetitions of a two syllable pattern wherein the pronunciation emphasis is on the second syllable
Imagery
Language which describes something in detail using words to substitute for and create sensory stimulation including visual imagery and sound imagery
Irony
Where an event occurs which is unexpected and which is in absurd or mocking opposition 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 or when words describing sounds actually sound like the sounds they describe
Oxymoron
A contradiction in terms
Paradox
Where a situation is created which cannot possibly exist because different elements of it cancel each other out
Personification 1
Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human self awareness where human thoughts actions and perception are directly attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas
Personification 2
Where and abstract concept such as a particular human behavior or a force of nature is represented as a person
Repetition
Where a specific word phrase or structure is repeated several times to emphasize particular idea
Simile
An indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar to another simile usually contain the words like or as but not always
Symbolism
The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas
Verbal irony
Where the meaning is intended to be the exact opposite of what the words actually mean
