Literary Terms & Devices

A comparison of two unlike things in which (like or as) is used. Example: The ant scurried as fast as the cheetah.

• simile

• metaphor

• hyberbole

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

A direct comparison of two unlike things - NO LIKE OR AS. Example: The speech gave me food for thought.

• simile

• metaphor

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

An exaggeration or overstatement. Example: I had to wait forever.

• simile

• metaphor

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

An object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form. Example: Flowers danced about the lawn.

• personification

• figurative language

• imagery

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Language that cannot be taken literarlly since it was written to create a special effect or feeling. Examples: Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, idioms, and personification are all this type of language.

• allusion

• figurative language

• imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions.

• personification

• figurative language

• imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

An organizational device used in literature to create expectation or set up an explanation of later developments.

• foreshadowing

• flashback

• symbolism

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

A device in literature where objects represent an idea

• foreshadowing

• flashback

• symbolism

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

An organizational device used in literature to present action that occurred before the current (present) time of the story. These are often introduced as the dreams or recollections of one or more characters.

• foreshadowing

• flashback

• symbolism

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

A struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces or emotions.

• Conflict

• irony

• allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D