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LITERARY DEVICES and LITERARY TERMS to know
Literary Device
Alliteration
Allusion
Analogy
Anti-thesis
Diction
Definition
The repetition of first letters, often
consonants
Casual reference in literature to a person,
place, event, or passage of literature to
establish tone, create an association,
contrast objects or people, or make
references. Authors assume that the readers
will recognize the original source and relate
its meaning to the context.
A comparison between unlike things
intended to illustrate the similarities
between them. Simile and analogy are
alike, but analogy tends to be more
extended.
Simile or metaphor + additional
statement(s)= analogy
(A statement that places perfectly opposite
ideas together in order to create a contrast).
The sentence must have parallel structure,
and there must be opposites at either end of
it.
Choice and use of words in speech or
writing.
Example
Dim drums throbbing in the
hills half heard.
“Well, I’m sorry if I don’t have
an amazing relationship like
Edward and Bella.”
Here the author assumes the
reader will recognize that
Edward and Bella are characters
from Twilight.
“Life is like a box of chocolates,
you never know what you’re
going to get.” – Forrest Gump
How to Link it to Literary Analysis
Explain the emotional effect created by the sound of
the letters.
Explain why the reference is significant to the work,
and how it connects to a major theme or a character.
Explain how the abstract comparison adds meaning to
the understanding of the original idea.
E.g. Comparing life to a box of chocolates implies
that life is enjoyable and sweet like chocolate and that
it is a surprise what you will find.
The peace in his mind opposed
the war in his heart.
Explain how the abstract comparison adds meaning to
the understanding of the original idea.
E.g. Do you want a drinkie
winkie with your burger?
E.g. When thinking about it rationally, the character
feels calm with his decision; however war outweighs
peace and therefore it proves that the character
ultimately feels very torn about his decision.
Discuss the reason why the author chose to use
certain words in a line or passage and how this
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impacts what is being said/described.
Foil
The term ‘foil’ refers to a literary device
where the author creates a character whose
primary purpose is to create a contrast to
another character by laying emphasis or
drawing attention to the foil’s traits and
characteristics through the original’s
obviously contradictory ones.
(The speaker is deliberately
being sarcastic using ‘baby-talk’
to make the listener feel child
like).
Betty and Veronica from Archie
comics.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr.
Watson
Compare and contrast the qualities of these two
characters in order to highlight particular qualities
about one character.
E.g. Betty is ‘the girl next door’ while Veronica
comes from a rich upbringing. They both want the
affection of Archie, however Veronica acts almost as
if she deserves Archie more than Betty because of her
status.
Discuss how the hints of what is to come impacts or
emphasizes the outcomes of the story.
Foreshadowing
Suggesting, hinting, indicating, or showing
what will occur next
A character constantly coughing
during a story and looking pale
may foreshadow their death.
Flashback
Action is interrupted so that the reader can
witness past events (memories, dreams,
narration, commentary). It allows an
author to fill in the reader about a place or a
character, or it can be used to delay
important details until just before a
dramatic moment.
Deliberate exaggeration to make a point,
but not to deceive. The exaggeration has no
basis in reality.
Flashback to when the
protagonist is a child.
Explain the purpose of the flashback. What does it
reveal to the reader’s about the past? How might this
effect our understanding of character or theme?
I’ve told you a million times…
Explain the purpose behind the exaggeration.
Hyperbole
Imagery
IMAGERY - Language used to evoke a
feeling, to call to mind an idea, or to
describe an object. These "mental pictures"
can be related to all 5 senses (sight, smell,
taste, touch, hearing). Imagery can often
His breath was so bad that it
made the flowers around him
die.
The wind blew hard and the
Explain the effect the imagery has on the tone or
mice scurried away frightened
atmosphere or explain how the imagery adds to
that they would take flight in the character description or development of theme.
air.
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be coupled with other literary devices.
Irony –
Verbal Irony
A figure of speech; when someone says
one thing, but means the opposite.
“Oh great.” (after something
horrible has happened)
Explain what it is ironic. How might this irony relate
to theme and/or characterization?
Loving someone so much but
then deciding to leave them.
Situational
Irony
When what is expected to happen and what
actually happens are different; sometimes
due to forces beyond human
comprehension or control.
Dramatic Irony
The audience understands the meaning of a
situation or knows something, but the
character does not.
Metaphor
Onomatopoeia
Oxymoron
The audience knows that Allan
is planning to propose to Cindy;
however Cindy has no clue.
An implied comparison is made between
otherwise dissimilar objects without using
the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
Her father was a dormant
volcano that was ready to
explode any minute.
OR a metaphor may also be an element or a
part of a story is meant to represent an
aspect of real life
A parent who refuses to clear
out her child’s room after they
leave may be a metaphor
representing that they are
having a hard time ‘letting go’.
Smack, wham, hiss, buzz, etc.
The use of sounds that are similar to the
noise they represent.
Two completely opposite words placed
side by side to create a contradictory effect.
Usually it is intentional.
Intentional: He loved the sick
sweet smell of cotton candy.
Sweet sorrow, wake up dead,
happy pain
Explain the significance of the comparison and how it
characterizes the moment
Explain the emotional effect of the actual sound, and
relate it to your argument.
Explain the nature of the contradiction in terms.
Relate it to your argument.
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Paradox
Pathetic
Fallacy
Unintentional: Jumbo shrimp,
original copy, civil war
A seemingly absurd statement with a
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
deeper meaning somehow has some truth to Cowards die many times before
it. It is a self-contained statement that is not their deaths (Act II, scene ii:
part of the plot, and is usually ironic in
line 32).
some way.
It is the beginning of the end.
Giving non-living things in a setting human
attributes, all of which are connected to a
particular mood. In narrative, the
environment often matches the state of
mind of a character. It is similar to
personification with an emotional
component to it.
Personification
Inanimate objects or concepts are given
human qualities, forms or actions).
Inanimate object + verb.
Pun
A statement that has a double meaning, one
that is literal to a situation, and often
another that is comic. Often a pun uses
words that are homonyms (a word
pronounced the same as another word but
different in meaning).
Repeating the same word or phrase in a
work to add emphasis.
Repetition
I must be cruel to be kind
“The heavy sun set bringing the
day to a close”. (This line is
described after a character has
just received disappointing
news).
The earth seemed to tremble.
(This line is written after
something horrible has just
happened in the narrative).
The clock seemed to mock her;
ticking away so slowly while
she waited.
I’ll see you at sea!
Explain why it is absurd, and then explain why it is
also true when related to life or human nature.
Explain how there is a connection between the images
created and the character’s state of mind
Explain how the image contributes to the mood/plot
and relate it to your argument.
Explain the significance of both meanings. Relate the
comic meaning (if applicable) to your argument.
You can tune a guitar, but you
can’t tuna fish.
I am strong. I am invincible. I
am woman.
(The repetition of the word ‘I’
Explain how the use of repetition adds to the tone,
characterization or theme.
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Rhetorical
Question
Simile
Symbol
Literary Term
Antagonist
Anti-Hero
Types of
Characters:
An author makes a point using a question.
A direct comparison between unlike things
using the words “like” or “as”. Like or as +
two things= simile.
An object, setting or character within a
story is representative of a particular
universal concept.
Definition
The character against whom the
protagonist struggles; also often referred to
as the villain of the story.
A protagonist in a story who lacks the
typical characteristics of a hero. Main
character + serious issues = anti-hero
Round/Dynamic -A character who profits
from or undergoes a significant change or
growth.
Flat/Static – A character who undergoes
no change and remains essentially the same
from beginning to end.
and words that connote power,
suggests that the narrator is a
very confident female).
How would that make you feel?
Does anybody’s life really ever
get complicated after winning
the lottery?
He is as strong as an ox.
She felt as light as a feather.
A dove representing peace.
Explain how the question has a convincing effect on
the reader or how it may encourage the reader to think
about something. Relate it to your argument.
Explain the significance of the comparison.
Explain the meaning behind the symbol.
Blood on a person’s hands
representing guilt.
Example
Voldemort to Harry Potter, Lex
Luther to Superman, etc.
E.g. Dexter in Dexter, V in V
for Vendetta, Jay Gatsby in The
Great Gatsby.
Gru in Despicable Me,
Macbeth, Rose in Titanic, etc.
Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh,
Wile E. Coyote, Homer
Simpson, Marie from
Everybody Loves Raymond.
How to Link it to Literary Analysis
Explain the complexities of the conflict between the
two characters and/or compare the characteristics of
the antagonist to the protagonist.
Identify negative traits, and explain how these traits
prevent the character from achieving his/her goals.
Relate to your argument.
Discuss the character’s growth or changes and
determine what the causes of their changes are.
Discuss why there is essentially no change in the
character. Is part of the reason due to the type of
character they are? Due to the genre of t.v. show,
book or movie they are in?
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Climax
Stock/Stereotype – A flat, unoriginal
character in a standard role with such
ordinary traits that they seem to be cast in a
mold.
The moment at which the crisis reaches its
point of greatest intensity and then after the
climax it is resolved.
Conflict
The opposition between characters, a
group, or forces. It may be internal (in the
mind / psychological) or external.
Connotation
Associations and implications that go
beyond the literal meaning of a word.
Literal, dictionary meaning of a word.
Denotation
Mood
Point of View
Protagonist
A feeling or emotional state produced by a
work. Mood can also refer to the
atmosphere of a setting within a work.
The way the events of a story are described
to the reader (is completely separate from
dialogue).
The central character and focus of interest
The ‘jock’, the ‘dumb blonde’,
the ‘nerd’, the ‘mean boss,’ the
‘loser’, the ‘know-it-all’, etc.
The great battle between a hero
and a villain, when the Titanic
hits the iceberg, the beginning
of a major competition, race or
game, etc.
Person vs. Person, Person vs.
Self, Person vs. Society, Person
vs. Supernatural, Person vs.
Nature, Person vs. Technology
e.g Slim vs. stick-thin, chick vs.
woman, talkative vs. big mouth.
E.g. chaos- a state of utter
confusion or disorder
Jason’s bedroom was in a state
of chaos; magazines and empty
pizza boxes everywhere. (The
author uses the word ‘chaos’ to
exaggerate how horrible the
room looks in the eyes of
Jason’s mother).
E.g. mysterious, eerie, tense,
etc.
E.g. first person, second person,
third person.
Discuss why the author/writer chose to use
stock/stereotypical characters, determine whether or
not the character breaks out of their stereotypical
‘mold’ at times and why.
Discuss the dynamics of the conflict. What can the
reader learn about the theme or about characters by
examining the dynamics of the conflict?
Think about how word choice can play an important
role in description.
Think about the meaning of the word and how this
impacts what is being said/described.
Discuss how the mood impacts the meaning of the
story.
Discuss how point of view and whose point of view
the story is being narrated from impacts the reader’s
understanding of the story (is it reliable? biased?
accurate?)
E.g. Harry Potter, Bruce Wayne, Examine what the characteristics of the protagonist
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in a work.
Meredith Grey, Hamlet, etc.
A word, place, character, or object that
stands for ideas, values, persons, or a way
of life.
A central idea or statement that unifies and
controls an entire literary work. It can take
the form of a brief and meaningful insight
or a comprehensive vision of life and may
be directly stated, or only implied.
The attitude behind the voice of an
author/narrator/character.
E.g. Dove = peace, tree=
growth, red= blood or passion,
etc.
E.g. Power corrupts people,
love conquers all, etc.
The tone might be formal or
informal, playful, ironic,
optimistic, pessimistic, sensual,
etc.
Discuss how the tone may impact the meaning of the
story.
Dramatic
Term/Device
Aside
Definition
Example
How to Link it to Literary Analysis
A short speech by a character to another
character or the audience, revealing
thoughts or plans which the other
characters cannot hear.
Discuss how the asides impact our understanding of
the character who says the asides or how it impacts
the character’s relationship with the audience.
Soliloquy
A speech made by a character alone on
stage, directly to the audience, revealing
thoughts and feelings.
A character turns outwards
towards the audience and says,
“Geez, can you believe this
guy?” (Points to the character
on stage next to him).
E.g. Hamlet’s “to be or not to
be” speech.
Symbol
Theme
Tone
are. Do they grow or change throughout the story?
What are their fears or desires?
Discuss the complexities of the symbol. Does the
symbol represent more than just it’s typical or
conventional representations?
Discuss how this theme is developed/demonstrated in
the story (perhaps through events, characters, stylistic
techniques, etc.)
Discuss how the soliloquy reveals insights into the
character who is delivering the soliloquy.