Literary Devices

Using like or as for comparison of unlike things

They fought like cats and dogs.

Author’s attitude toward the subject

The US is blessed by the arrival of nearly 1 million potential citizens each year.

How the author reveals character traits (direct or indirect)

The cat danced around the toy mouse before pouncing on it.

"Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.”

Giving human traits to non-human things

Hard work pays off in the end.

Indirect reference to something outside the text

A pilot has a fear of heights.

When she won the lottery, she said she had a golden ticket.

Visually descriptive figurative language

Main idea; what the story is really about

The old man was selfish and greedy. He refused to give any money at Christmas for children's presents.

The twist; when the opposite of what’s expected happens

“The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on.”

Comparison of unlike things (without using like or as)

The snow is a white blanket.

Atmosphere or “feel” of the story