Literary Devices-Definitions
Similes: A comparison in which two things are said to be like or as another.
Example: He is as cold as ice
The dried worm is like a spaghetti noodle
Metaphors: A comparison in which one thing is said to be another.
Example: The cat’s eyes were jewels, gleaming in the darkness
Alliteration: Repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in a phrase.
Example: the sweet-scented, simmering sauce
Onomatopoeia: The forming of a word that sounds like what it means. “Listen” for
sounds to think of these types of words.
Example: The bacon sizzled in the pan.
Sensory Details: descriptive language meant to evoke the five senses- sight, sound,
taste, smell, touch
Example: Roaring waves crashing to the shore woke me up this morning.
Imagery: language used to create a mental picture
Example: The sky is a mixture of reds and oranges.
Personification: Giving human qualities or abilities to non-human things or ideas.
Example: The beeping microwave shouted, “It’s time for dinner!”
Symbolism: (Literary Element) A symbol is an object, a word, or an action that
stands for something else.
Example: A heart symbolizes love; Harry Potter’s scar symbolizes the fear he
has for Voldemort and the sadness he has b/c his parents died.
Rhyme: Repetition of identical or similar vowel or consonant sounds, most often at
the end of lines of poetry.
Example: You have no clue; that the sky is blue.
Repetition: The repeated use of the same word or word pattern
Example: The rain is falling, the snow is falling, the tears are falling
Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement used for effect and not meant to be taken
literally.
Example: I’ve told you a million times to…..!
Idioms: A group of words with different meanings from their literal ones.
Example: I bit off more than I could chew.
Mood: (Literary Element) the feeling that the writer creates for the reader.
Tone: (Literary Element) describes a writer’s attitude toward his or her subject.
Irony: (Literary Element) A device based on contrast. Saying one thing but meaning
the opposite, or expecting one thing to happen and the opposite occurs.
Oxymoron: Figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms.
Example: Pretty ugly, jumbo shrimp