Literary Devices
1. To be able to recognise these linguistic devices when reading texts and be
able to refer to them in your answers
2. To be able to use these devices to enhance your own writing
 A Correspondence of sound between words or the
endings of words, especially when these are used at the
ends of lines of poetry.
 B This is where the first letter of a word is repeated in
Alliteration
words that follow. For example, the cold, crisp, crust of
clean, clear ice.
 C This is exaggerating for a purpose – it is not meant to
be taken literally. For example, we gorged on the
banquet of beans on toast.
 A This is a conversation between two or more people
 B This is a word that sounds like the noise it is
Dialogue
describing. For example, splash, bang, pop, hiss.
 C This is where words or ideas are used humorously or
sarcastically, to imply the opposite of what they mean.
 A This is where a word or phrase is repeated to achieve
a particular effect.
Hyperbole
 B This is exaggerating for a purpose – it is not meant to
be taken literally. For example, we gorged on the
banquet of beans on toast.
 C This is a conversation between two or more people
 A Correspondence of sound between words or the
endings of words, especially when these are used at the
ends of lines of poetry.
 B This is where the first letter of a word is repeated in
Imagery
words that follow. For example, the cold, crisp, crust of
clean, clear ice.
 C This is where strong pictures or ideas are created in
the mind of the reader. Similes, metaphors and
personification can all be used to achieve this - they all
compare something 'real' with something 'imagined'.
 A This is a word that sounds like the noise it is
describing. For example, splash, bang, pop, hiss.
 B The creation of mood in a text, such as sadness,
Onomatopoeia
gloom, celebration, joy, anxiety, dissatisfaction, regret or
anger.
 C This is where a word or phrase is repeated to achieve
a particular effect.
 A This is where a phrase establishes similarity between
two things. Similes usually involve the words 'like' or
'as'- he is as quick as an arrow in flight, as white as
snow, like a burning star.
Repetition
 B Can be in speech form, delivered in front of other
characters and having great thematic importance, or as
a soliloquy where we see the character laying bare
their soul and thinking aloud.
 C This is where a word or phrase is repeated to achieve
a particular effect.
 A This is where strong pictures or ideas are created in
the mind of the reader. Similes, metaphors and
personification can all be used to achieve this - they all
compare something 'real' with something 'imagined'.
 B This is where a phrase establishes similarity between
Simile
two things. Similes usually involve the words 'like' or
'as'- he is as quick as an arrow in flight, as white as
snow, like a burning star.
 C Correspondence of sound between words or the
endings of words, especially when these are used at the
ends of lines of poetry.
 A Correspondence of sound between words or the
endings of words, especially when these are used at the
ends of lines of poetry.
 B The creation of mood in a text, such as sadness,
Rhyme
gloom, celebration, joy, anxiety, dissatisfaction, regret or
anger.
 C This is where the first letter of a word is repeated in
words that follow. For example, the cold, crisp, crust of
clean, clear ice.
 A Repetition of the ‘s’ sound.
 B This is where two words normally not associated are
Oxymoron
brought together. For example, cold heat, bitter sweet.
 C This is language that evokes feelings of pity or
sorrow.
 A This is language used in speech with an informal
meaning. For example, chill, out of this world, take a rain
check
Metaphor
 B This is a version of a language spoken by people in a
particular geographical area.
 C This is where a word or phrase is used to imply
figurative resemblance, not a literal or 'actual' one. For
example, he flew into the room.
 A This is language that evokes feelings of pity or sorrow.
 B This can also be referred to as word choice or
Personification
register. It refers to an author's choice of language.
Authors may use words commonly associated with a
certain subject, experience or state of mind.
 C This is where a human quality is attributed to a thing
or idea. For example, the moon calls me to her
darkened world.
 A This is discordant combinations of sounds. For
example, the clash, spew and slow pang of grinding
waves against the quay.
 B Can be in speech form, delivered in front of other
Monologue
characters and having great thematic importance, or as
a soliloquy where we see the character laying bare
their soul and thinking aloud.
 C Objects, colours, sounds and places may work as
symbols e.g., white usually symbolises innocence and
purity
 A The creation of mood in a text, such as sadness,
gloom, celebration, joy, anxiety, dissatisfaction, regret or
anger.
Tone
 B This is where strong pictures or ideas are created in
the mind of the reader. Similes, metaphors and
personification can all be used to achieve this - they all
compare something 'real' with something 'imagined'.
 C This is a conversation between two or more people
 A This is where words or ideas are used humorously or
sarcastically, to imply the opposite of what they mean.
 B This is where two words normally not associated are
brought together. For example, cold heat, bitter sweet.
Irony
 C A metaphor that is developed in great detail. The
amount of detail can vary from that of a sentence or a
paragraph, to encompassing an entire work. Takes a
single metaphor and employs it at length, using various
subjects, images, ideas and situations.
 A This is discordant combinations of sounds. For
example, the clash, spew and slow pang of grinding
waves against the quay.
Pathos
 B Repetition of the ‘s’ sound.
 C This is language that evokes feelings of pity or
sorrow.
 A This is a version of a language spoken by people in a
particular geographical area.
 B Repetition of the ‘s’ sound.
Sibilance
 C This can also be referred to as word choice or
register. It refers to an author's choice of language.
Authors may use words commonly associated with a
certain subject, experience or state of mind.
 A This can also be referred to as word choice or
register. It refers to an author's choice of language.
Authors may use words commonly associated with a
certain subject, experience or state of mind.
Diction
 B This is language used in speech with an informal
meaning. For example, chill, out of this world, take a rain
check
 C This is where a word or phrase is used to imply
figurative resemblance, not a literal or 'actual' one. For
example, he flew into the room.
 A Objects, colours, sounds and places may work as
symbols e.g., white usually symbolises innocence and
purity
 B This is a version of a language spoken by people in a
Symbolism
particular geographical area.
 C This is where the same vowel sound is repeated but
the consonants are different. For example, he passed
her a sharp, dark glance, she shot a cool, foolish look
across the room.
 A This is where a human quality is attributed to a thing
or idea. For example, the moon calls me to her
darkened world.
Dialect
 B This is a version of a language spoken by people in a
particular geographical area.
 C Objects, colours, sounds and places may work as
symbols e.g., white usually symbolises innocence and
purity
 A This is where two words normally not associated are
brought together. For example, cold heat, bitter sweet.
Colloquial
Language
 B This is language that evokes feelings of pity or sorrow.
 C This is language used in speech with an informal
meaning. For example, chill, out of this world, take a rain
check
 A This is discordant combinations of sounds. For
example, the clash, spew and slow pang of grinding
waves against the quay.
 B A metaphor that is developed in great detail. The
Extended
Metaphor
amount of detail can vary from that of a sentence or a
paragraph, to encompassing an entire work. Takes a
single metaphor and employs it at length, using various
subjects, images, ideas and situations.
 C This can also be referred to as word choice or
register. It refers to an author's choice of language.
Authors may use words commonly associated with a
certain subject, experience or state of mind.