Foreshadowing:

When hints or clues are given
about events that will
happen later in the story.
Example:

A character breaks a mirror, a
black cat crosses his path and
then later on in the story
something bad happens to
him/her.
Flashback:

A useful device that provides
information about an earlier
event; the writer shifts from
the present to the past to
illustrate an important point.

The story is told in the past
tense and relived through a
character’s memory.
Irony:

A contrast between what is
said and what is meant or
between expectations and
reality.
Example:

“I was never nicer to the old
man as I was the week before
I killed him.”
Verbal Irony:


Occurs when a character says
one thing literally, but really
means something else.
There is an implied meaning
opposite to what is said.
Example:

When you don’t complete
your homework, and I say
with sarcasm, “I can see that
you are really working hard
in this course!”
Situational Irony:

The actual outcome is
different from what is
expected.
Example:



Olympic swimmer drowns in
bathtub.
Firemen dies in house fire.
Policeman robs a bank.
Dramatic Irony:

When we the reader or
audience member is aware of
something that is about to
occur, but the character in
the text is not.
Example:

In the Shakespearean play
Othello, the audience knows
Iago’s evil plan, but the other
characters do not.
Tone:

The attitude the author has
towards the subject.

This is most often created
through the author’s choice
of words.
Example:

Dark

Light

Depressing
Symbol:

An object, image, character,
or action that stands for an
idea beyond its literal
meaning.
Example:

Rose = Love

Cross = Sacrifice

Lamb = Gentleness
Allusion:

When casual reference is
made to a famous historical
or literary figure or event.
Example:

Christ

Greek gods (Zeus)

“Oh how I long for my own
Rapunzel!”
Protagonist:

The main character in a
story.
Example:

Little Red Riding Hood
Antagonist:

The character who opposes
the protagonist. This
character works as a contrast
to the protagonist.
Example:

The Wolf
Metaphor:

Comparing two things
WITHOUT using “like” or
“as”.
Example:

I am a bear in the morning.

My students are angels.
Simile:

Comparing two things USING
“like” or “as”.
Example:

“Our love is like a warm
fire.”

“She her smile was as bright
as the sun.”
Hyperbole:

An exaggeration or
overstatement.
Example:

“I called you a thousand
times last night.”

“I am starving!”
Alliteration:

The repetition of the
initial letter or sounds in
two or more words in a
line or group of lines. Or
repetition of consonant
sounds within the words.
Example:

“He is a witty, whiny,
worthless young man.”

“Betty Boop bought some
butter”
Oxymoron:

Two contrasting words/ideas
put together.
Example:

Jumbo Shrimp

Cold Heat

Hard Love

Bitter Sweet
Onomatopoeia:

Words that sound the way
they are spelled.
Example:

Bang

Boom

Buzzzzz
Anecdote:

A brief story that retells a
memorable personal event.
Example:

“I remember when...”

“When I was your age...”
Diction:

The author’s choice of words,
which can create the tone or
atmosphere.
Example:

Sharp words

Kind words
Analogy:

A comparison between two
things that are different but
have one thing in common.
Example:

An extended simile – He was
like Christ in that he
sacrificed everything he had
for his friends.
Imagery:

When images are created by
a writer using concrete
details, adjectives, and
figures of speech.
Example:

Blossoming flower, reaching
towards the sun.
Archetype:

A basic patter or concept
common to people of
different times and cultures.
A pattern, character, or
situation frequently found in
literature.
Example:

Mother

Hero

Christ figure
Pathetic Fallacy:

When nature mimics what is
happening in the story.
Example:

Rain when a character is sad
or depressed.

A hail storm when a
character is experiencing a
crisis.
Pathos:

When the author writes in
such a way as to arouse
feelings of pity or sympathy
in the reader.
Example:

He was tortured, beaten,
utterly alone.
Hubris:

Pride or supreme confidence.
Catharsis:

Purification of emotions
through a reader’s/
spectator’s involvement in a
novel/play.
Example:

After a long scene of
intense drama, the lovers
finally embrace.

Rain after a confession.

Sun after a dark period.
Personification:

When something non-human
is given human qualities.
Example:

Death is knocking at my door.

The sun extended its hand to
keep me warm that day.
Paradox:

A phrase that seems to be
contradictory, but actually
does hold some truth.
Example:

To believe with certainty we
must begin with doubting.
Juxtaposition:

Putting opposites beside
each other in order to show
the differences.
Example:

Comparing a pure character
with an evil one, to
emphasize how good the
pure character is.
Understatement:

Saying less than what is true
for effect.
Example:

My parents were
disappointed when I smashed
their new car!
Genres:

The types or categories
into which literary works
are grouped.
Examples:

Science fiction, horror,
romance, comedy, novella,
poem, short story, novel,
etc.

Do you have any questions or
concerns?

Complete the literary devices
activity sheet!

Soon you will be an expert on
literary devices!
Graffiti Activity:

Located around the room are
literary devices on chart
paper.

For each literary device,
write your own example.

Every student will need their
own marker.