Literary Devices
Writers often use words in special ways to
help readers "see" things in a different way.
Devices are tools, so literary devices are
tools that writers use to improve their
writing and make it more interesting.
Literary devices include figurative language,
imagery, and sound devices.
Image: Notebook Gallery
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* Figurative language (or figures of
speech) provides descriptions or
comparisons that go beyond the literal
meaning of the words. It helps us make
connections between things and see the
world in new ways. Some examples of
figurative language are:
simile, metaphor, personification, idiom,
and hyperbole (exaggeration)
Figurative Language
A simile is a comparison between two unlike
things using the words like or as.
My brother is as tall as a mighty oak tree.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/simile.html
A metaphor is a direct comparison between
two unlike things. It does not use the
words like or as.
The baseball was a speeding rocket.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/metaphor.html
Image: MS Office
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Figurative Language
Personification gives human qualities (such as the
ability to hear, feel, talk, or make decisions) to
nonhuman objects, animal, or ideas.
The sun smiled at me warmly.
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/humorous­examples­of­personification­in­poetry.html
An idiom is a group of words that are used in a
new way, giving the words a whole new meaning.
It's raining cats and dogs.
http://www.idiomsite.com/
All Images: Notebook Gallery
Hyperbole is a way of describing
something by exaggerating.
Everyone in the world likes ice cream!
The lion had a roar that would flatten all
the trees in the jungle.
Image: Notebook Gallery
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*Sound devices are words that are used in
specific ways to create a special effect using
sounds. Some examples of sound devices are
alliteration and onomatopoeia.
Images: Notebook Gallery
Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant
sound at the beginnings of words.
Seven seals swam silently in the sea.
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that sound
like the noises they describe.
The ball plopped into the catcher's mitt and
then landed on the ground with a thud.
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Literary Devices Matching
(Drag the literary device to the sample that matches it.)
The tree clawed at Jack with its
bony fingers.
Wondrous words are whispered into
the window of the waiting world.
Zing! went the speeding baseball.
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Personification
Literary Devices Matching
The wandering cat was a thief on the
prowl.
My sister is as sweet as a Hershey's
candy bar.
That box weighs a hundred pounds!
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Simile
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* Imagery is the use of details that
appeal to the senses - sight, hearing,
smell, touch, and taste. Imagery
helps readers create pictures in the
mind and make descriptions come
alive.
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Resources:
How to Write, Recite, and Delight in All Kinds of
Poetry by Hulme and Guthrie
Quia Literary Devices Matching Activity:
http://www.quia.com/jg/715120.html
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Attachments
Literary Devices Alexa.ppt
Literary Devices PowerPoint Project.doc
Literary Devices PowerPoint Project Checklist.doc
Literary Devices PowerPoint Rubric.doc
simile metaphor idiom.ppt
Literary Devices Vocabulary.doc
Quia Matching