Literary Devices - Examples

Front

What is the definition of theme?

Back

The overall lesson the reader gets.

Front

What is onomatopoeia?

Back

A literary device where a word imitates the sound it represents, e.g., 'thump'.

Front

What is hyperbole?

Back

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, e.g., 'I am dying of shame.'

Front

What is allusion?

Back

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work, e.g., 'She was no Scrooge.'

Front

What is personification?

Back

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities, e.g., 'The wind howled in the dark night sky.'

Front

What is metaphor?

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'Time is a thief.'

Front

What is simile?

Back

A figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'Her smile was like sunshine.'

Front

What is imagery?

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Front

What is symbolism?

Back

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, e.g., a dove representing peace.

Front

What is alliteration?

Back

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words, e.g., 'She sells sea shells by the sea shore.'