Literary Devices Flashcards
Allusion
A reference to a famous person or event in life or literature
Dramatic irony
Where the audience or reader is aware of something important of which a character in the story is not aware
Euphemism
The substitution of an inoffensive word for one considered offensive or harsh. It is often used to disguise something bad or embarrassing
Flashback
A device that shifts the narrative from the present to the past, usually to reveal a change in character or to illustrate an important point
Foil
A character who is meant to represent characteristics, values, ideas, etc. Which are directly opposed to those of another character, usually the protagonist
Foreshadowing
When the author drops subtle hints about plot developments to come later in the story. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense and keep readers guessing
Hyperbole
A device that uses deliberate exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis
Imagery
A mental picture created by a writer using concrete details, adjectives and even other literary devices that gives readers a vivid impression of what or who is being described. Generally includes at least two of the senses
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as
Onomatopoeia
Where words are written like they sound
Oxymoron
A contradiction in terms
Personification
Where objects, animals, or ideas are giving human traits
Pun
A play on words where a word has two meanings at the same time, thereby resulting in humour
Repetition
Where a specific word, phase, or structure is repeated several times, usually in close proximity, to emphasize a particular idea
Simile
A figure of speech comparing two things using like or as
Situational irony
Where an event occurs that is entirely unexpected, or opposite of what was expected
Stereotype
An oversimplification in which all the members of a group of people are given the same set of characteristics, without consideration for individual differences. Stereotypes often form the basic of prejudice and can therefore be very harmful
Symbolism
The use of a specific object to represent an idea or a special meaning. A symbol must be something that you can touch, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract.
Tragedy
Where a story has a negative or unfortunate outcome that could have been avoided, but was caused by a flaw in the main character’s personal. Note that tragedy is really more of a dramatic genre that a literary element, a play can be referred to as tragedy
Verbal irony
Where words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds within a close proximity, usually in consecutive words within the same sentence or line
