Grade 9 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.” 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. 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. 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!” Symbol: An object, image, character, or action that stands for an idea beyond its literal meaning. Example: Rose = Love Cross = Sacrifice Lamb = Gentleness 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” 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!” Hyperbole: An exaggeration or overstatement. Example: “I called you a thousand times last night.” “I am starving!” Imagery: When images are created by a writer using concrete details, adjectives, and figures of speech. Example: Blossoming flower, reaching towards the sun. Metaphor: Comparing two things WITHOUT using “like” or “as”. Example: I am a bear in the morning. My students are angels. Onomatopoeia: Words that sound the way they are spelled. Example: Bang Boom Buzzzzz Oxymoron: Two contrasting words/ideas put together. Example: Jumbo Shrimp Cold Heat Hard Love Bitter Sweet 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. 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. 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.” Understatement: Saying less than what is true for effect. Example: My parents were disappointed when I smashed their new car! Pun: Is a humorous play on words to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or the use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound Example: Eating a clock is very time consuming. My friend’s bakery burned down and now his business is toast. Archetype: A basic pattern or concept common to people of different times and cultures. A pattern, character, or situation frequently found in literature. Example: Mother Hero Christ figure Tone: The attitude the author has towards the subject. This is most often created through the author’s choice of words. Example: Depressing Humorous Optimistic Diction: The author’s choice of words, which can create the tone or atmosphere. Example: Sharp words Kind words Do you have any questions or concerns? Complete the literary devices activity sheet! Soon you will be an expert on literary devices!