Literary Devices

a word that imitates the sound it represents

• ONOMATOPOEIA

• PERSONIFICATION

• HYPERBOLE

• PARADOX

when a writer gives human qualities to animals or objects

• ALLITERATION

• HYPERBOLE

• ONOMATOPOEIA

• PERSONIFICATION

the repetition of the same consonant sound in words occurring near one another

• HYPERBOLE

• ALLITERATION

• SYMBOLISM

• PERSONIFICATION

using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning

• SIMILE

• PARADOX

• SYMBOLISM

• ALLITERATION

reveals something true which at first seems contradictory

• METAPHOR

• HYPERBOLE

• SIMILE

• PARADOX

an obvious exaggeration or overstatement

• ALLITERATION

• HYPERBOLE

• CLICHÉ

• PARADOX

an expression comparing one thing to another using the words “like” or “as”

• ALLITERATION

• CLICHÉ

• METAPHOR

• SIMILE

a comparison of two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as”

• METAPHOR

• IMAGERY

• ALLITERATION

• SIMILE

a casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event

• ALLITERATION

• IMAGERY

• ALLUSION

• ONOMATOPOEIA

when a writer invokes the five senses

• ALLITERATION

• IMAGERY

• ONOMATOPOEIA

• OXYMORON