LITERARY DEVICE VOCAB
BANK
Accordion fold the strip of paper
(make 16 boxes)
For each box:
1. Write the literary device term
2. Definition
3. Example
• Metaphor - comparing two things where one is
a symbol of the other
• EXAMPLE: She was a bird, jumping off the
swing, and then sailing through the air until
she softly landed on the woodchips below
• Simile – comparing two like things using “like”
or “as”
• EXAMPLE: The boys dove on the ball like
angry dogs snarling for a bone.
• Alliteration – using the beginning letter or
sounds in closely connected words
• EXAMPLE: The feather fluttered gently
to the floor
• Personification – giving human
characteristics to things that are not
human
• EXAMPLE: The motor hummed as the
car drove smoothly down the highway.
Literary Devices
• Hyperbole – an exaggerated statement
that is not meant to be taken literally
• EXAMPLE: “She said so on several
million occasions.”
• Onomatopoeia -Words that describe what
they sound like
• EXAMPLE: Snap, crackle, and pop
Literary Devices
• Idiom –an expression that cannot be
understood from the meanings of its
separate words but that has a separate
meaning of its own
• EXAMPLE: Before the movie began, I
told the student to "hit the lights".
• Dialogue – Speech between characters
• EXAMPLE: “I didn’t do it!” yelled Sam.
“Yes you did, I saw you!” Tayna
replied.
Literary Devices
• Imagery – the use of vivid description to
create a picture in the reader's mind
• EXAMPLE: The winding road wove
through a field of peppermint
• Irony -Contrast between what is
expected and what actually happens
• EXAMPLE: All spoons when all you need
a knife
Literary Devices
• Sarcasm– an expression that is
personal, jeering, and intended to hurt
• EXAMPLE: Sometimes I need what only
you can provide: your absence.
• Analogy –a comparison that shows a
relationship between two things
• EXAMPLE: I am going to be toast when
I go to school tomorrow
Literary Devices
• Literary Device -a technique an author
uses to convey or enhance his/her
message or voice.
• EXAMPLE: Use of a simile, metaphor,
idiom, hyperbole, etc. in writing
• Figurative Language- Figurative
language is language that uses words or
expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation.
• EXAMPLE: The rain seemed like an old
friend who had finally found us.
Literary Devices
• Analogy –a comparison that shows a
relationship between two things
• EXAMPLE: Stick is to hockey as
racket is to tennis.
Literary Devices
Alliterative sentence- An alliterative
sentence uses two or more words
beginning with the same letter, or with
the same consonant or vowel sound,
ideally in close proximity."
EXAMPLE: Mr. Cain called Carol to the
library.