Literary Devices

An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or event

a situation where the audience knows more than the character. 

Repeating the same beginning consonant sound in words.

uses characters, events, and details to symbolize deeper meanings.

a contrast between what is expected and what occurs, or between what is said and what is meant.

Compares two unrelated things through a perceived similarity.

the central, overarching message or idea explored in a work.

compares two different things that are similar in some respects but different in others. 

an interruption in the story to present events that happened earlier in time.

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. 

Hints at future events in the story.

when readers expect a certain outcome, then the opposite occurs.

a word that sounds like the word it’s describing.

uses descriptive language to create a mental image of a place, idea, or experience.

saying the opposite of the literal meaning.