Literary Devices Flashcards

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Metaphor

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A comparison made without using 'like' or 'as'. "His home was his castle." His home is presented as a secure and safe place to be.

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Simile

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A comparison made using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to create a vivid image. "She had a smile like the sunrise." Her smile seems bright and full of hope.

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Personification

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A type of imagery in which non-human objects, animals or ideas are given human characteristics. "The wind screamed through the trees." The wind is given the human characteristic of "screaming." This creates an uneasy atmosphere.

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Rhetorical Question

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A question asked to make the reader think. It does not require an answer because it is obvious. Can you imagine that? How was that possible? Creates a dramatic effect and makes a point stronger and more persuasive.

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Repetition

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Words, phrases or ideas are repeated for effect. "Stephen tried and tried and tried to get the ball in the net." The repetition emphasises the effort exerted and Stephen’s desperation at his failed attempts.

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Oxymoron

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Words describing the opposite meaning. ‘She was dying to live.’ ‘She had a big baby.’ ‘Beautiful monster.’ Encourages the reader to think deeply about a particular idea.

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Alliteration

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The repetition of the same sounds (mainly consonants) usually at the beginning of words. "The suffocating steam filled the room." The repetition of the ‘s’ sound adds to the discomfort of the room.

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Onomatopoeia

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The sounds of words to express or underline their meaning. "Howling, the cat ran through the house." We get a sense of the cat’s terror from the sound of the word "howling."

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Rule of three/ Triplets

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Three words, adjectives or sentences that describe one idea, object, person or thing. ‘Sun, sea and sand – describes a beach.’ ‘Cosy, safe and warm – describes a home.’ Suggests that a trio of events or characters/objects is more satisfying, or effective than other numbers.

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Juxtaposition

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Two things being placed together with an opposite effect. ‘The flower was pretty ugly.’ ‘The room was exploding with silence.’ It emphasises the contrast between two things.