Literary Devices

Front

What is tone in literature?

Back

Tone refers to the writer's attitude or feelings towards the subject of the story, which can influence how the reader perceives the narrative.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Front

What is onomatopoeia?

Back

Onomatopoeia is a literary device where words imitate the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to, such as 'buzz', 'bang', or 'sizzle'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

What is a theme in literature?

Back

The theme is the central idea or moral of a story, often conveying a deeper message about life or human nature.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

What is assonance?

Back

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, creating a musical effect. For example, 'The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as', such as 'as brave as a lion'.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Front

What is a metaphor?

Back

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating one is the other, such as 'Time is a thief'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is alliteration?

Back

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words, such as 'She sells sea shells by the sea shore'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is personification?

Back

Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts, like 'The wind whispered through the trees'.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

What is hyperbole?

Back

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect, such as 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse'.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

What is imagery in literature?

Back

Imagery involves using descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures for the reader, appealing to the senses.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5