Literary Devices

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as".

Front

Metaphor

Back

A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike entities using "to be".

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Allusion

Back

A reference to a person or event from an outside source, such as historical, literary, biblical, mythological, or political.

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Personification

Back

A figure of speech where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human characteristics.

Front

Imagery

Back

The precise use of language to describe objects, actions, and ideas in a way that appeals to the physical senses, helping readers to picture the scene as if it were real. An image may appeal to any of the five senses.

Front

Alliteration

Back

Repetition at close intervals of the same first sound of words.

Front

Onomatopoeia

Back

A word that imitates the sound it represents.

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Future events in a story are suggested by the author before they happen.

Front

Motif/Repetition

Back

A specific word, phrase, or structure is repeated several times for emphasis.

Front

Symbol

Back

A concrete thing (object, trait, person, place, action) that exists in the story as itself but also represents a deeper, more abstract or conceptual thing. In a complex text, symbols arguably represent more than one thing.