literary devices Flashcards
Alliteration
the repetition of sounds at the beginning of words that are near each other
allusion
a reference to a well known person, place, event, literary work or work of art
assonance
repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words that are near each other
audience
those to whom a text is addressed
connotation
the suggested or implied meaning of a word
context
the set of facts or circumstances that surround the writing or reading of a text
dialogue
the lines spoken by characters in a short story or other literary work
foreshadowing
the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
hyperbole
intentional exaggeration to create an effect
hypophor
a figure of speech in which the speaker poses a question and then answers the question
imagery
the use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, thing, place or experience
direct and indirect characterisation
direct = when the author makes statements about a character’s personality directly to the reader
indirect = the character’s personality is revealed through that character’s thoughts, words or interactions with others
metaphor
a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of specific words of comparison
onomatopoeia
the use of a word whose sound imitates or suggest its meaning
mood
the emotional atmosphere of a work
parallel structure
the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
personification
a figure of speech in which an animal is given human feelings, thoughts or attitudes
resolution
the conclusion of a story where the loose ends are tied up
setting
the time, place, physical details and circumstances in which a situation occurs
simile
the comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” “as” or “than”
symbolism
the use of words, places, people or objects to mean something beyond their literal meaning
tone
the author’s attitude toward the subject matter revealed by his/her voice
