Literary Devices, Characterization Types, and Plot Arc Terms

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Metaphor

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A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Time is a thief.'

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Simile

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A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Her smile was as bright as the sun.'

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Alliteration

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The repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words. Example: 'She sells seashells by the seashore.'

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Hyperbole

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An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Example: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

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Personification

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Giving human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

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Onomatopoeia

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A word that imitates the sound it represents. Example: 'The bees buzzed in the garden.'

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Irony

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A contrast between expectation and reality. There are three types: verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. Example: 'A fire station burns down.'

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Symbolism

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Using symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Example: 'A dove often symbolizes peace.'

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Foreshadowing

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A hint or clue about what will happen later in the story. Example: 'Dark clouds on the horizon suggest a storm is coming.'

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Imagery

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Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Example: 'The fragrant roses filled the air with their sweet scent.'