Literary Devices

A figure of speech which a nonhuman thing is given human characteristics.

A figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as.

Ex: My brother has a such a healthy appetite he’s just about eaten us out of house and home.

An expression in which the author says one thing but means just the opposite.

Ex: She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Ex: The lawyer grilled the witness on the stand.

A figure of speech that compares two things using like or as.

A word or words that sound like the action or thing they describe or represent.

Ex. Tom was as tall as a tree and had legs like toothpicks.

Ex. The stars winked goodnight as the sun reached with its golden arms over the horizon.

Language that goes beyond the normal meaning of the words used.

Ex: Wham! Pow! Crunch! Skerp!

Ex: I’ve just had the best day ever! I lost my homework & got into a fight with my best friend

Exaggeration used to emphasize a point.