literary devices Flashcards
alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity
anthropomorphism
where animals or inanimate objects are portrayed in a story as people
blank verse
non rhyming poetry, iambic pentameter
dialogue
where characters speak to one another
creative license
exaggeration or alteration of objective facts or reality for enhancing fictional context
dramatic irony
where the audience or reader is aware of something important, of which the characters in the story are not
exposition
where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something
figurative language
any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the literal meaning of the words themselves
foreshadowing
where future events in a story, or 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 on the second syllable
imagery
language in which describes something in detail for you to imagine it
irony
where an event occurs which is unexpected, and which is in absurd or mocking opposition
metaphor
a direct relationship where one thing or idea substitutes for another
onomatopoeia
where sounds are spelled as words
oxymoron
a contradiction in terms
paradox
where a situation is created which can’t exist
parallelism
use of 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 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 a particular idea
simile
an indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar to another (like or as)
symbolism
the use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas
