Figurative Language: Literary Devices

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What is Symbolism?

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Symbolism is a literary device where a symbol is used to represent ideas or qualities. For example, a broken mirror often symbolizes bad luck or separation.

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What is Hyperbole?

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Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, used to emphasize a point or create humor.

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What is Irony?

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Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning. For example, saying 'What a beautiful day!' on a cold, rainy gray day.

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What is a Simile?

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

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What is Foreshadowing?

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Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story. For example, a character mentioning that bad things happen in autumn hints at future events.

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What is a Metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'Time is a thief'.

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What is Onomatopoeia?

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Onomatopoeia is a literary device where a word imitates the natural sound of a thing. Examples include 'buzz', 'whisper', and 'bang'.

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What is Alliteration?

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Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words. For example, 'She sells sea shells by the sea shore'.

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What is an Oxymoron?

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An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms appear in conjunction. For example, 'deafening silence'.

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What is Allegory?

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An allegory is a narrative that uses characters and events to symbolize deeper moral or political meanings. For example, George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution.