Grade 8 Literary Devices and Story Elements

Front

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as.' Example: Her laughter was like music to my ears.

Back

Simile

Front

A figure of speech that describes something by saying it is something else. Example: His words were a soothing balm for her troubled heart.

Back

Metaphor

Front

Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human objects or animals. Example: The wind whispered secrets through the trees.

Back

Personification

Front

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Example: I have told you a million times to clean your room!

Back

Hyperbole

Front

Descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures using the five senses. Example: The warm sand slipped through her fingers as she walked along the beach.

Back

Imagery

Front

The use of objects, colors, or events to represent deeper meanings. Example: The golden ring symbolized their eternal love for each other.

Back

Symbolism

Front

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. Example: The firefighter's house caught fire and burned to the ground.

Back

Irony

Front

Hints or clues about what will happen later in a story. Example: The ominous storm clouds foreshadowed the chaos that would soon follow.

Back

Foreshadowing

Front

The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words. Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

Back

Alliteration

Front

Words that imitate or suggest the sounds they describe. Example: The bees buzzed around the colorful flowers.

Back

Onomatopoeia