Literary Terms & Poetic Devices

the use of dashes, commas, periods, etc to show where to pause when reading, emphasis points

a reference to a biblical event, person, or place.  

a public address; ex. The Gettysburg Address

words that are close, but not perfect rhymes

when poetry lacks a rhyme scheme or fixed metrical pattern

In "O Captain! My Captain!"  Abraham Lincoln is compared to the captain of a ship.

is the repetition of vowel sounds in a nearby words.  Its is used to set the mood.

a writer's attitude toward subject, audience, and self; how something sounds when someone speak

reference to a historical event or custom, a work of liturature or art, or a well known person

words or phrases that appeal to the 5 senses and help create mental images

a pattern of sound created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in words

include pamphlets, newspapers & book like Uncle Tom's Cabin to increase anti-slavery sentiment.

comparing two different things without using like or as.  Ex. He is a whirlwind.

the time, place, and circumstances in which a story takes place

the use of capital letters for common nouns and/or entire words the author wishes to emphasis

he rhyming pattern of a poem

A fanciful tale of legendary deeds and creatures, usually intended for children.

a conversation between or among characters

how a piece of literature makes you feel

the repetition of consonant sounds within and at the ends of words

rhyme that occurs within the line of poetry Ex. score, four, and more with Casey at the bat!

when the last word of two or more lines of verse rhyme with each other.

A word formed from the initial letters in a phrase.