Literary Devices Flashcards

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Allegory

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The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. Often deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

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Alliteration

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The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring words. Can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and supply a musical sound.

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Allusion

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A direct or indirect reference to something commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

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Ambiguity

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The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

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Analogy

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A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

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Anaphora

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One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.

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Anecdote

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A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event, often referring to an incident in the life of a person.

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Antecedent

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The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. Often asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a sentence.

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Antithesis

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A figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure, creating a systematic relationship between ideas.

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Aphorism

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A terse statement of known authorship expressing a general truth or moral principle. Often considered a folk proverb if the author is unknown.