Mr. Trafford
1
Poetic and Literary Devices Writing
60 points possible
General Information
In many ways, the study of literature involves the study of a new language, one full of complex
and often confusing terms. Knowledge of this technical jargon serves to keep college professors
employed and AP test readers interested, but one cannot overlook the importance of knowing and
being able to successfully use this specialized language. Your task for the rest of the year will be
to define, identify, and contextually explain the terms as you encounter them in your reading. In
essence, you will be creating a glossary for easy study and reference. Below, I have provided a
list of a few literary devices you may consider using for this assignment, (there is also a more
comprehensive list online) but you are in no way limited to the items on the list. Literally
hundreds of literary devices are available for writers to use, and the more you become familiar
with, the better. The catch? You cannot repeat the use of a literary device. Each paper must
be about a unique term.
Sample Literary Terms
Allegory
Alliteration
Allusion
Ambiguity
Amplification
Analogy
Anaphora
Anastrophe
Anthropomorphism
Antithesis
Aphorism
Apostrophe/
Authorial Intrusion
Assonance
Bibliomancy
Caesura
Catharsis
Characterization
Conflict
Connotation
Consonance
Cosmic Irony
Diction
Ekphrastic
Elegy
Emulation
Epithet
Euphony
Flashback
Hyperbole
Imagery
Initiation Story
Inversion
Irony
Metaphor
Metonymy
Motif
Negative Capability
Oxymoron
Onomatopoeia
Paradox
Pathetic Fallacy
Periodic Structure
Personification
Plot
Polysyndeton
Portmanteau
Puns
Rhyme Scheme
Rhythm & Rhyme
Satire
Setting
Simile
Stanza
Stream of Consciousness
Symbol
Synecdoche
Syntax
Theme
Tone
Tragedy
Verisimilitude
Verse
Assignment Details
 The next page contains a sample paper. Your paper should be no more than one page, but
completely answer all three parts of the assignment.
 You must have 12 entries. Each entry is worth 5 points for a total of 60 points
 Your examples must come from works of literary merit.
 You are responsible for keeping all of your literary device papers until the end of the
semester, because they will not be entered into the grade book until then.
 All entries must be typed.
 You will present to the class two of your entries during the semester for an additional 10
points.
Mr. Trafford
2
Symbol
Definition: Something that suggests or stands for something else without losing its original
identity. In literature, symbols combine their literal meaning with the suggestion of an abstract
concept.
Literary work: All the Pretty Horses (pg. 133)
Example: “Like him, she was left-handed or she played chess with her left hand…He leaned
forward and moved his bishop and mated her in four moves.”
Explanation/How the author is using this literary device:
This chess game between John Grady and Alejandra’s godmother symbolizes the competition that
they are in for Alejandra herself. This game of chess, which takes place between these two
characters as John is trying to ascertain what his chances are of his relationship with Alejandra
receiving approval from the family, represents the greater chess game between these two
competing characters. Although John Grady wins the first couple of games and seems to be well
on his way to achieving his goal, in the end it is the godmother who triumphs. This directly
mirrors John Grady’s and the godmother’s lives: although John Grady wins Alejandra’s
affections initially, in the end he loses her. When he takes “her queen” he is literally winning the
chess match by taking the queen, but he is also on a symbolic level attempting to take the
godmother’s true “queen,” Alejandra, who the godmother is determined to keep from suffering
the same misfortunes she endured. The lack of dialogue between the characters during the match
further reinforces the quiet competition they are engaging in; one that is not violent but is indeed
fierce. The intellectual nature of he chess match also enhances the choice that Alejandra
ultimately makes near the end of the novel: leaving John and opting instead for the security (and
wealth) of her family. This choice reflects the cool and calculating logic of a chess match rather
than the passion of the heart.