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!
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