Literary Devices

The state or quality of feeling that a text evokes in the READER.

Describing something in a way that is other than it seems.

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

A main idea or meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly.

The style of speaking or writing as dependent upon choice of words.

This occurs when the expected outcome does not happen.

A phrase used to compare two things that aren't alike but have something in common.

A typical character, action or situation that represents universal patterns of human nature.

Visually descriptive language that forms mental images, figures, etc. of the text.

A sudden memory or scene of an event in the past.

An attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.

Polite, indirect expressions which replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite.

A saying in a culture that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning.

A series of words in a row (or close together) have the same first consonant sound.

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named.

Variety of language that a group of people speak, separated by geography, class, or ethnicity.

A joke that makes a play on words.

An event, conclusion, statement, that is less important, powerful, or striking than expected.

A comparison of two things to show their similarities.

A device that contains several layers of meaning; it means more than its' literal meaning.

An understatement in which a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite.

A satire where trivial subjects and events are treated in the manner of the heroic style.

A deliberate use of inharmonious words, phrases, or syllables to create harsh sounding effects.

This occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not.

A story in which people, things or happenings have a symbolic meaning.

An indirect reference to a person, place, or idea of historical, literary or political value.

A device introduced and developed throughout all or part of a literary work, especially a poem.

The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence to achieve an artistic effect.

The study of the patterns of formation of sentences and phrases from words.

An object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work.

The arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables into a pattern.

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words to emphasize meaning.

A phrase comparing two things in an interesting way using like or as.

Assigning human qualities to something that isn't human, like nature or emotions.

A warning or indication of a future event.