Literary Devices
Literary devices or Figures of Speech are techniques that writers use to create a
special effect in their writing, to convey information, and to help the reader
understand the piece on a deeper level.
Simile -Comparing two unrelated things to creating new understanding and meaning.
They are marked by the use of "like," "as, "or "such as."
Metaphor - A metaphor is an implied Simile. It does not, like the Simile, use any
words of comparison.
Personification - Giving human traits to inanimate objects.
Apostrophe - Directly addressing an inanimate object as though it were a living
being. This is a special form of Personification
Euphemism - A euphemism is when you use an expression to soften what you want
to say.
Antithesis – In Antithesis, a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiments is
made in the same sentence. It is used for emphasis.
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Hyperbole - Exaggerating a statement or idea to emphasize a point or emotion.
Oxymoron. Oxymoron is a special kind of Antithesis whereby two contradictory
qualities are put together to create a complex meaning.
Epigram – An Epigram is a pointed saying expressing an idea in a clever and
amusing way. It is a brief witty statement about a topic.
Epigraph is an inscription on a building, statue, or coin OR a short quotation or
saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme.
Irony - Irony is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning than the
one literally expressed by it
World War I was a war to end all wars.
Metonymy - A metonymy (meaning a change of name), is when an object is
designated by the name of something which is generally associated with
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Pun – A Pun consists in the use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more
than one application, the object being to produce a ludicrous effect.
Synecdoche - A synecdoche is a literary device in which part of something is used to
represent the whole, or vice versa.
Transferred Epithet – In this, an epithet (an adjective or phrase expressing a quality
or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned) is transferred
from its proper word to another that is closely associated with it in the sentence.
Litotes – A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative
is expressed by negating its opposite. It is the opposite of Hyperbole
Interrogation - Interrogation is the asking of a question not for the sake of getting
an answer but to put a point more effectively. This figure of speech is also called a
Rhetorical Question because a question is asked merely for rhetorical effect
LOGIC
Climax – It is the arrangement of a series of ideas in the order of increasing
importance.
Anticlimax is a rhetorical or literary device used in literature or speaking to convey a
disappointing situation; the usually sudden transition from a significant idea to a
trivial or ludicrous idea.
Alliteration - Alliteration involves the quick repetition of the first letters, and
therefore the first sounds, of words.
Allegory - An allegory a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a
hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Allusion - Allusion is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place,
event, or idea originating from outside the text. Many allusions make reference to
previous works of literature or art.
Anaphora - The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive
clauses or verses.
Chiasmus - A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced
against the first but with the parts reversed.
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An aphorism is a saying or observation which contains a general truth .
Proverbs, maxims, adages, and clichés are different forms of aphoristic statements
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Foreshadowing - Foreshadowing is when an author indirectly hints at—through
things such as dialogue, description, or characters’ actions—what’s to come later on
in the story. This device is often used to introduce tension to a narrative.
Imagery - Imagery is when an author describes a scene, thing, or idea so that it
appeals to our senses. This helps the reader clearly visualize parts of the story by
creating a strong mental picture.
Malapropism - Malapropism happens when an incorrect word is used in place of a
word that has a similar sound.
Symbolism - Using objects or action to mean something more than what appears on
the surface.
In daily life, people often associate colors with ideas. Black with death. Red with
love. White with purity or peace.
Paradox - A paradox is a statement that appears illogical or self-contradictory but,
upon investigation, might actually be true or plausible.
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Onomatopoeia - Words whose sound mimics natural sounds or sounds of an object.
These words help bring the reader into the scene by working on the senses.
Anachronism - something or someone that is not in its correct historical or
chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time.
Worksheet
1. Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears.
a. metaphor
b. personification
c. Hyperbole
d. epigram
2. To err is human, to forgive divine
a. Antithesis
c. Anachronism
c. Symbolism
d. Imagery
4. The outcome of the case was a four - bench decision
a. metonymy
b. synecdoche
c. irony
d. euphemism
5. England lost by six wickets .
a. paradox
b. synecdoche
d. irony
c. euphemism
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3. I've been to the dentist many times so I know the drill.
a. simile
b. Pun
c. metonymy
d. Synecdoche
6. He was a learned man among lords, and a lord among learned men.
a. Epigram
b. Metonymy
c. Oxymoron
d. Antithesis
7. Brave Macbeth, with his brandished steel, carved out his passage.
a. Metaphor
b. Litotes
c. Climax
d. Synecdoche
8. We had nothing to do, and we did it very well.
a. Antithesis
b. Paradox
c. Anticlimax
And thou, Dalhousie, the great god of war
Lieutenant- Colonel to the Earl of Mar.
a. Apostrophe
b. Epigram
c. Anticlimax
d. Litotes
9.
d. Paradox
10. The Puritan had been rescued by no common deliverer from the grasp of no
common foe.
a. Hyperbole
b. Epigram
c. Metaphor
d. Litotes
LOGIC
11. The doctor administered the anecdote.
a. Litotes
b. Malapropism
c. paradox
d. metaphor
12. The contractor was asked to give the exact estimate of the project
a. oxymoron
b symbolism
c. imagery
d foreshadowing
13. Your enemy's friend is your enemy.
a. aphorism
b paradox
c. allusion
14. The butter is as soft as a slab of marble.
a. transferred epithet
b. pun
c. irony
d. anticlimax
d. simile
15. The weather was so hot that literally everything was on fire.
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. hyperbole
d. pun
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16. They fought like cats and dogs.
a. metaphor
b. irony
c. pun
d. simile
17. His words are pearls of wisdom.
a. metaphor
b. simile
c. epigraph
d. litotes
18. Thank you for making this day necessary.
a. aphorism
b. irony
c. metaphor
d. malapropism
19. The political scientist was asked to give his unbiased opinion on the current issue.
a. oxymoron
b. symbolism
c. allusion
d. allegory
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20. That guy is as nutty as a fruitcake.
a. metaphor
b. simile
c. transferred epithet
d. irony
21.The doctor was absolutely unsure of the nature of his illness.
a. epigram
b. hyperbole
c. oxymoron
d. euphemism
22.The new manager is as friendly as a rattlesnake.
a. irony
b. antithesis
c. hyperbole
d. personification
23. Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.
a. paradox
b. hyperbole
c. transferred epithet
d. allegory
24. The businessman was so busy that he was attending to a million calls
simultaneously.
a. hyperbole
b. synecdoche
c. anachronism
d. symbolism
c. hyperbole
d. paradox
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LOGIC
25. The assignment was a breeze.
a. simile
b. metaphor
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Answers
1. Filling a river with tears is an exaggerated way of saying that the person as crying
very badly. So it is a hyperbole
2. A contrast of words is made in the same sentence for emphasis. So it is antithesis
3. The word ‘drill’ can be used in two different ways. It is a pun on the word ‘drill’.
4. ‘Bench’ is used to refer to judges. So it is a metonymy
5. England refers to the English cricket team . A whole is used to represent a part.
So it is synecdoche.
6. A clever way of describing a person. It is an epigram
7. Macbeth’s brandished steel represents his sword. A part designating the whole, in
this case - victory. It is used as a synecdoche.
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8. A self - contradictory statement – It is a paradox
9. Dalhousie had to pay second fiddle to a lieutenant. It is used a an anticlimax.
10. Double negatives – Litotes
11.Anecdote used instead of antidote . It is malapropism
12.exact and estimate are two contradictor words . It is an oxymoron
13. A contradictory statement which may be true
14. The statement expresses an opposite meaning . It is irony
15. It is an exaggeration. It is a hyperbole
16. A comparison is made of the fight. It is a simile
17. A comparison is made but no words of comparison is used. It is implied. Hence it
is a metaphor
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18.necessary is used instead of possible. It is malapropism
19. Unbiased and opinion are contradictory words to express one idea. It is an
oxymoron.
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20. Words of comparison ‘as…as’ makes it a simile
21. Absolutely together with unsure makes it two contradictory words to express one
idea. It is an oxymoron.
22. A statement is used to express an opposite meaning . So it is irony.
23. This sound illogical but has some truth in it. So it is a paradox
24. It is an exaggeration to say that one can attend to a million calls simultaneously.
So it is a hyperbole.
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LOGIC
25. A comparison is made but without and words expressing comparison. So it is a
metaphor
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