Literary and Stylistic Devices
Allegory – is a form of an extended metaphor in which objects, persons and actions in a narrative are
equated with meanings outside the narrative itself. Quite often characters are personifications of
abstract ideas, while the setting and the actions of the narrative explain the relationships between these
abstractions. Forms of allegory include fables and parables. An entire novel or short story can be
allegorical in nature; it conveys a message – usually moralistic. For example: The Grasshopper and the
Ant
Alliteration – the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a line or succeeding lines of verse. For
example: Rabbits are running right over red roses
Allusion – an indirect or direct reference to familiar figure, place or event that is know from history,
religion (the Bible), literature, mythology or some other field of knowledge – in a piece of literature. For
example: "The girl's love of sweets was her Achilles heel," referencing the warrior in Greek mythology.
Anaphora - In rhetoric, an anaphora ( "carrying back") is a rhetorical device that consists of repeating a
sequence of words at the beginnings of neighboring clauses, thereby lending them emphasis. An
expression that refers to another expression, especially a preceding one. An example is a pronoun that
refers to its antecedent. For example:
"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight
with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost
may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields
and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." (Winston Churchill, speech to
the House of Commons, June 4, 1940)
"It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out
for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope
of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who
believes that America has a place for him, too." (Barack Obama, "The Audacity of Hope," July 27, 2004)
Apostrophe - A figure of speech in which some absent or nonexistent person or thing is addressed as if
present and capable of understanding. For example: "Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk
with you again . . .."
(Paul Simon, "The Sounds of Silence").
Archetype – a basic pattern or concept common to people of different times and cultures. A pattern,
character, or situation frequently found in literature. For example: the journey theme; the savior figure;
hero/heroine figure;
Assonance – the repetition of similar vowel sounds within a line or succeeding lines of verse. For
example: "Old age should burn and rave at close of day;/ Rage, rage, against the dying of the light."
(Dylan Thomas, "Do not go gentle into that good night")
Atmosphere – the emotional colouring given to the story. It is created through the author’s choice of
setting, words, types of character and descriptions. For example: humour, sadness or fear.
Characterization – is the method by which an author creates the traits, thoughts, and actions which
develop the character for the reader. There are five methods of developing a character.
Consonance – is the repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in a line or succeeding lines of
verse. For example: Rap rejects my tape deck, ejects projectile/ Whether Jew or Gentile, I rank top
percentile, (Lauryn Hill – Fugees)
Contrast – is used by an author or poet to produce a significant effect with opposing elements, ideas, or
objects in the way a painter does with paints. This can create an astonishing emotional effect on the
reader. For example: The use of pink jacket in Schindler’s List – a black and white film.
Diction – is the author’s choice of words, which can create the tone. Choice of words can be a critical
indicator of the character’s personality.
Dream Sequence – is a technique which offers insight into a character’s psychology. It reveals the inner,
unspoken desires and conflicts of the character. For example: The Big Lebowski - the Dude.
Epiphany – a sudden moment of significant realization by a character. Usually it is a turning point in a
character’s life; he or she very suddenly becomes aware of some critical aspect of self or reality that has
previously confused the character. For example: a man who suddenly realizes he loves a woman who
has been a friend for many years.
Flashback – is a device useful to writers for filling in past information; the writer presents scenes that
occurred in the character’s life prior to opening incident of the work. The flashback is told in the past
tense and relived in a character’s memory.
Foil – is the term applied to any person (or sometimes a thing) that underscores or enhances the
distinctive characteristics of someone – through the use of strong contrast.
Foreshadowing – occurs when elements in the narrative (signs or events) hint at or predict future
events or the conclusion. This literary technique is used to create suspense as well as offer suggestions
to the reader of plot directions. Foreshadowing is never apparent until the entire plot unfolds and the
reader is able to see how elements in the beginning of the plot played a role in its final unraveling.
Hyperbole – is exaggeration used for dramatic effect. For example: I gained 15 pounds after eating that
cheesecake.
Image – a word or phrase in a literary text that appeals directly to the reader’s five senses. An image is
thus any vivid or picturesque phrase that evokes a particular sensation in the reader’s mind. For
example: light images in Rome and Juliet – sun, torches, moon, stars, etc.
Imagery – is the use of images in a literary work. Images are created through use of concrete details,
adjectives and figures of speech, which give readers a vivid impression of what or who is being
describes.
Irony – occurs when the outcome is the opposite of what is expected; the reversal of meaning or
situation. Different types of irony include: situational, a reversal of expectations; verbal, a reversal of
meaning ; satirical irony, to ridicule a human folly; irony of fate, in which circumstances come about that
are the opposite of the outcome expected by the protagonist; dramatic irony, where the reader is aware
of the outcome – however, the protagonist is not.
Metaphor – is an implied comparison between two unlike objects. For example: Life is a roller coaster.
Note that the words like or as are NOT used in this type of figurative language.
Motif - is an underlying pattern of a recurring idea, phrase, image or action. It unifies a story by
repeatedly recalling its earlier occurrence. For example: The motif of dual or multiple parents pervade
the Harry Potter books.
Onomatopoeia – literally means “name poetry” which occurs through the use of words which are
connected or imitate their sound. For example: hiss, buzz, bang.
Parody – a literary or artistic work that mimics in an absurd or ridiculous way the conventions and style
of another work. Parody is also known as spoof, lampoon or burlesque. Weird Al Yankovich parodied
Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.
Paradox – a phrase that appears to be contradictory. For example: He was glad to finally be punished
for his crimes.
Pathetic Fallacy – is a device in which nature or inanimate things are described in a way that is similar to
or sympathetic about the events and emotions of the character. For example: A character’s bad mood is
reflected in a rain storm.
Personification – is the device used to give inanimate objects human characteristics. For example: The
leaves danced down the driveway.
Polptoton – is a rhetorical term for repetition of words derived from the same root but with different
endings. For example, "Choosy Mothers Choose Jif".
Satire – is a text or performance that uses irony, derision, or wit to expose or attack human vice,
foolishness, or stupidity. Contemporary vehicles for satire include The Colbert Report, South Park, and
The Onion.
Simile – a direct comparison between two objects using the words like or as. For example: It is as cold
as ice.
Stream of Consciousness – is a style of writing that reflects the thoughts of a person. Often the ideas
will move quickly and flow from image to image and idea to idea – like a stream flowing. Because of the
uninterrupted flow of thought from a human mind, a stream is the best way to describe the way we
think. Writers will use this style of writing to represent the thoughts and ideas of a character through an
internal monologue. This is another device which reveals the inner thoughts of a character.
Suspense – the feeling of anxiety or uncertainty surrounding the outcome that the author is able to
create through a variety of techniques.
Symbol – an object that represents itself and something else – another set of ideas or thoughts. Usually
symbols are easily recognized and are universal. Advanced writers will use more sophisticated and
complex symbols that will play a specific role in the story.
Symbolism – is the use of symbols; something that suggest rather than directly depicts. The object or
image stands for something else beyond its literal meaning or significance. For example: darkness
symbolizes evil and light symbolizes goodness.
Style – refers to a writer’s particular way of developing his or her narrative. Aspects of style include
diction, use of imagery, allusion, figures of speech, symbolism, length and complexity of sentences.
Theme – is the central ideal of the literary work; it is implied rather than directly stated.
Tone – refers to the author’s attitude about a subject or position regarding an issue. Tone is often
revealed through the author’s choice of details, characters, events. Tone is NOT mood.