Literary Devices

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What is a simile?

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'My love is like a red, red rose.'

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What is onomatopoeia?

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Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to, such as 'buzz', 'bang', or 'sizzle'.

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What is an allusion?

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An allusion is a reference to a person, event, or work of literature, art, or history that is not explicitly mentioned. For example, saying 'He has the Midas touch' refers to King Midas from mythology.

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What is assonance?

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Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, often used to create rhythm or enhance the mood in poetry. For example, 'Lillian showed Miss Popek a host of golden daffodils.'

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What is a metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net.'

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What is personification?

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

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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 hyperbole?

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

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What is imagery?

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Imagery involves using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind, appealing to the senses. For example, 'The golden sun set over the calm, blue ocean.'

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What is a theme?

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A theme is the central idea or underlying message in a literary work. It often reflects on human nature or society.