Literary Devices

Definition: A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”

Purpose: Similes and metaphors give the traits of one object to another (“love is like a rose” suggests that love is pretty and sweet, like a rose).

• Definition: A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things NOT using “like” or “as.”

• Purpose: Similes and metaphors give the traits of one object to another (“love is a rose” suggests that love is pretty and sweet, like a rose).

• Definition: Personification means giving human characteristics to something that is not human.

• Purpose: Personification can emphasize a trait of the personified object or concept; it can also give power to the object or concept that is personified.

• Definition: Hyperbole is exaggeration.

• Purpose: Hyperbole emphasizes something by exaggerating it.

• Definition: Alliteration is when neighboring words start with the same sound.

• Purpose: Alliteration emphasizes and connects the words that are alliterated.

• Definition: Imagery is descriptive language.

• Purpose: Imagery often establishes a mood or tone. It also draws attention to whatever is being described in detail and can be used develop symbolism, serve as a motif, or highlight similarities or contrasts.

• Sensory Imagery: There are terms for imagery that correlates with each of the five senses:

  • • Visual imagery: sight

    • Auditory imagery: hearing

    • Olfactory imagery: smell

    • Gustatory imagery: taste

    • Tactile imagery: touch

    • Kinesthetic imagery: movement

• Definition: Repetition is when a significant word or phrase is repeated intentionally, for effect.

• Purpose: Repetition emphasizes the word or phrase that is repeated, which can bring clarity to an idea or highlight meaning.

Definition: The attitude or feelings an author or narrator conveys toward a subject. See this page for lists of words that can be used to describe tone.

Definition: An oxymoron is a phrase made up of words that contradict each other.

Purpose: Because they are made up of contradictions, oxymorons often reveal confusion or disorder.

• Definition: A symbol is a concrete object that represents an abstract concept.

• Purpose: By giving concrete form to an abstract concept, a symbol reveals something about the concept it represents.

• Types: Symbols can be categorized as either conventional or original.

  • Conventional symbols: symbols that have a universal meaning in our culture; these are recognizable outside of a text (ex/ white = purity; snake = evil; heart = love)

  • Original symbols: symbols that authors develop within a specific text (ex/ Harry's lightning scar in the Harry Potter series)

Definition: A motif is a pattern; anything repeated in a text, but most often a pattern of imagery.

Purpose: Motifs can be used to create a sense of unity in a text and to develop a thematic message.

Definition: An allusion is a reference to elements from other literature, mythology, or history that makes use of readers’ pre-existing associations and cultural knowledge.

Purpose: See this page for various purposes of allusion.

• Definition: Anaphora is when the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple sentences, lines, or clauses.

• Purpose: Anaphora emphasizes the significance of the ideas it helps express.

• Definition: When two contrasting ideas are placed side-by-side in a text.

• Purpose: Juxtaposition emphasizes the contrast between two ideas.