Literary Devices

Literary Devices

by C. Smith-Patterson

What are Literary Devices?​

​Literary devices are techniques that writers use to create a special and pointed effect in their writing, to convey information, or to help readers understand their writing on a deeper level.

Multiple Choice

Literary devices do the following EXCEPT?

• Create a special effect in writing.

• Convey information.

• Help readers understand their writing on a deeper level.

• Makes writing dull.

​Alliteration

​Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds within a group of words. For example, “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

Hyperbole

​Hyperbole is an exaggeration that’s not meant to be taken literally. For example, "Yo

Fill in the Blanks

What literary device is this? "I see ten thousand stars when I look into your eyes."

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech where seemingly contradictory terms appear together. For example, “the dumbest genius I know.”​

Open Ended

What literary device is MAINLY seen in the poem?

​Euphemism

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A euphemism is a polite way of describing something indirectly.

Many Authors use euphemisms to vary their language or soften the blow of a difficult concept. For example, “passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”

​Types of Allusion

Historical- An allusion to a historical event or period.

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​Example- "He was a Nero" suggests disturbing behaviour like that of the Roman Emperor

​Types of Allusion

Biblical/religious- An inference to a religious text, story or figure.

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​Example- Reflecting on her cruel behaviour, Cinderella's mother stood still like a pillar of salt- Lot's wife

​Which of the poems you studied in class has biblical allusion?

​Types of Allusion

Biblical/religious- An inference to a religious text, story or figure.

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​Example- Reflecting on her cruel behaviour, Cinderella's mother stood still like a pillar of salt- Lot's wife

​Pun

​A pun is a literary device that is also known as a “ play on words.”