Literary Devices Lessons

Literary Devices (aka Figurative Language)

Literary Devices

Literary devices are techniques writers use to add meaning and engage the reader. Some common examples are simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and imagery. These techniques can give the reader a greater understanding and meaning of the writers intent.

Identify the Terms

How many Literary Devices can you define?

Multiple Choice

A mental picture described using sight, smell, taste, hearing, or touch.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

The use of exaggeration to express a strong emotion or create a statement is a...

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Imagery

• Simile

Multiple Choice

To give human qualities to animals and objects

• Juxtaposition

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

Words spelled the way they sound

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

• Personification

• Simile

Multiple Choice

A comparison of things using "like" or "as"

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Theme

• Simile

Multiple Choice

A comparison of things without using "like" or "as"

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Theme

• Simile

Literary Devices in context

Read the examples on the next slides and identify the Literary Device

Multiple Choice

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

• Imagery

• Simile

• Personifcation

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

Joe’s boots crunched through the hard packed snow and broke the forest’s silence. A full moon peeked out from behind two clouds. Tree shadows illuminated the snow drifts in its shimmering light. Joe shivered as a cold gust of wind blew through his jacket.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

Multiple Choice

Joe’s boots crunched through the hard packed snow and broke the forest’s silence.

The word "crunched" is an example of...

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

Multiple Choice

The glare of the sun was like a laser beam in his eyes.

This sentence is an example of ...

• personification

• simile

• metaphor

• imagery

Multiple Choice

"I told you a million times, do not exaggerate!"

This sentence is an example of

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Idiom

• Tone

Multiple Choice

The branches clutched at the kite string.

This sentence is an example of...

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

The thunderous waves crashed against the rocks.

This sentence is an example of...

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

Symbols and Symbolism

Symbols are objects that have a literal meaning but also have an implied meaning. They often represent "big ideas" like love, honor, patriotism, or fate.

Some well-known symbols are the dove, the Amerian flag, and the skull and crossbones.

Multiple Choice

An object that has a literal meaning and an implied idea

• Image

• Metaphor

• Symbol

• Personification

Multiple Choice

A heart pierced with an arrow is an example of

• imagery

• simile

• symbol

• personification

The End

At least for now...