Literary Devices Flashcards
Allusion
a reference to a well-known event, person, thing, or place (ex. cultural, historical, religious, political)
Foreshadowing
a hint or warning of a future event in the story
Metaphor
a comparison between two seemingly unlike things without using the words like or as
Dramatic Irony
when the reader/audience knows something that another character(s) does not know
Pathetic Fallacy
when the setting is used to echo or symbolize what is happening emotionally to the characters
Personification
giving inanimate (non-living) objects human (living) qualities
Simile
a comparison between two seemingly unlikely things using the words “like” or “as”
Suspense
a feeling of tension/anticipation created when the reader is unsure of what is going to happen next (often created by foreshadowing or by speeding up/slowing down of the action before a crucial moment)
Symbolism
the use of an object that represents more than it would appear at face value (stands for something larger than itself - an idea, belief, or value)
Paradox
a self-contradictory statement, it seems that if one part of it is true, the other part of it shouldn’t be true
Atmosphere
the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation or work of art
Onematopia
The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named
