Figurative Language & Literary Devices: Definitions

the feeling a story creates in the reader, like happy, sad, or suspenseful

the author's attitude toward the subject or audience, like serious, funny, or angry

the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

When something, like an object or color, stands for or represents something else, like an idea or a feeling.

a word that imitates a sound for effect

an extreme exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally

a humorous play on words based on two words that are close in sound but different in meaning

a phrase that has a meaning different from the words' literal meaning

a comparison between two different things without using "like" or "as"

when a single word or phrase is used multiple times in short succession for effect.

giving human qualities to something that is not human

clues in the story that hint at what will happen later.

the repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in a series of words

a comparison between two different things using "like" or "as."

a scene in a story that takes place earlier than the current point in the story

words or phrases that create pictures in the mind using the five senses

using words or phrases that go beyond their literal meaning to create a vivid or expressive effect.

when what happens is the opposite of what is expected

a reference to another work of art, person, or event

words and phrases that mean exactly what they say, with no exaggeration or comparison.