Literary Devices Flashcards
Metaphor
A statement in which two objects, often unrelated, are compared to each other (ex: This tree is the god of the forest)
Simile
Known as indirect comparisons, the comparison relies on the words “like” or “as” (ex: This tree is like the god of the forest)
Symbol
The use of an object to represent a concept - kind of like a metaphor but more concise (ex: “Peace” represented by a white dove)
Personification
Giving human attributes to nonhuman objects
Hyperbole
Refers to any sort of exaggerated description or statement (ex: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse)
Irony
When the writer describes something by using opposite language (ex: if someone is having a bad day, they might say they’re doing “greaaaaat”)
Allusion
They are either directly or indirectly referring to another, commonly-known art or literature (ex: referring to a stranger as a good samaritan)
Onomatopoeia
A word that sounds like the noise it describes (ex: tick tock)
Oxymoron
Two contradictory words that describes one thing (ex: Parting is such a sweet sorrow)
Foreshadowing
When the author hints at events yet to come in the story
Cliche
A saying or idea that is used so often it becomes seen as unoriginal (ex: light as a feather)
Diction
The choice of words or style used by the writer in order to convey their message
Alliteration
The repetition of the same sound at the start of a series of words (ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers)
Theme
A central idea that is recurringly explored and expressed throughout a text
Archetype
A universal symbol or pattern that recurs in myths, stories, and other forms of literature across different cultures and time periods (ex: a ‘hero’)