Literary Devices Flashcards

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1
Q

Metaphor

A

A statement in which two objects, often unrelated, are compared to each other (ex: This tree is the god of the forest)

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2
Q

Simile

A

Known as indirect comparisons, the comparison relies on the words “like” or “as” (ex: This tree is like the god of the forest)

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3
Q

Symbol

A

The use of an object to represent a concept - kind of like a metaphor but more concise (ex: “Peace” represented by a white dove)

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4
Q

Personification

A

Giving human attributes to nonhuman objects

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5
Q

Hyperbole

A

Refers to any sort of exaggerated description or statement (ex: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse)

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6
Q

Irony

A

When the writer describes something by using opposite language (ex: if someone is having a bad day, they might say they’re doing “greaaaaat”)

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7
Q

Allusion

A

They are either directly or indirectly referring to another, commonly-known art or literature (ex: referring to a stranger as a good samaritan)

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8
Q

Onomatopoeia

A

A word that sounds like the noise it describes (ex: tick tock)

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9
Q

Oxymoron

A

Two contradictory words that describes one thing (ex: Parting is such a sweet sorrow)

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10
Q

Foreshadowing

A

When the author hints at events yet to come in the story

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11
Q

Cliche

A

A saying or idea that is used so often it becomes seen as unoriginal (ex: light as a feather)

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12
Q

Diction

A

The choice of words or style used by the writer in order to convey their message

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13
Q

Alliteration

A

The repetition of the same sound at the start of a series of words (ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers)

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14
Q

Theme

A

A central idea that is recurringly explored and expressed throughout a text

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15
Q

Archetype

A

A universal symbol or pattern that recurs in myths, stories, and other forms of literature across different cultures and time periods (ex: a ‘hero’)

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