Literary Devices:

Allegory: the device of using character and/or story elements

symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal
meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the
characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The
allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization
about human existence.
Alliteration: the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant
sounds in two or more neighboring words. E.g. she sells sea shells. The
repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical
sound.
Allusion: a direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably
commonly known, such as an even, book, myth, place, or work of art.
They can be historical (like referring to Lincoln), literary (like referring
to Kurtz in Heart of Darkness), religious (like referring to Noah and the
flood), or mythical (like referring to Atlas).
Analogy: a similarity or comparison between two different things or the
relationship between them. An analogy can explain something
unfamiliar by associating it with, or pointing out its similarity to,
something more familiar. They can make writing more vivid,
imaginative, and intellectually engaging.
Antithesis: a figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of
ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical
structure. The resulting parallelism serves to emphasize opposition of
ideas. E.g. Man proposes, God disposes.
Aphorism: a terse statement of known authorship that expresses a
general truth or moral principle. It can be a memorable summation of
the authors point. If authorship is unknown, the statement is generally
considered to be a folk proverb.
Chiasmus: a figure of speech based on inverted parallelism. It is a
rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each other through
a reversal of terms. The purpose is usually to make a larger point or to
provide balance or order. E.g. His time a moment, and a point his
space. Alexander Pope. ask not what your country can do for you
ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Euphemism: an agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally
unpleasant words or concepts. It may be used to adhere to standards

of social or political correctness, or to add humor. E.g. using the phrase

earthly remains instead of the word corpse.
Hyperbole: a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or
overstatement. It often has a comic effect; however, a serious effect is
also possible. Often, it produces irony at the same time.
Imagery: the sensory details or figurative language used to describe,
arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, it uses
terms related to the five senses. One image can represent more than
one thing. E.g. a rose may present visual imagery while also
representing the color in a womans cheeks.
Juxtaposition: placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close
together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.
Metonymy: a term from the Greek meaning changed label or
substitute name, its a figure of speech in which the name of one
object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. A
news release that claims the White House declared rather than the
President declared is using this figure of speech.
Mood: this term has two distinct technical meanings in writing. The first
meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speakers
attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences. E.g.
Joe eats too quickly. The subjunctive mood is used for a doubtful or
conditional attitude. E.g. If I were you, Id get another job. The
imperative mood is used for commands. E.g. Shut the door! The
second meaning of mood is literary, meaning the prevailing
atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can
affect the mood.
Onomatopoeia: a figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated
in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz,
hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.
Oxymoron: its a figure of speech wherein the author groups
apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples
include jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness.
Paradox: a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed
to common sense, but upon closer inspection contains some degree of
truth or validity. E.g. Fair is foul, and foul is fair
Personification: a figure of speech in which the author presents or
describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them

with human attributes or emotions. Its used to make abstractions,

animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader.
Point of view: the perspective from which a story is told. There are two
general divisions. 1. First-person narrator: tells the story with the firstperson pronoun I, and is a character in the story. 2. Third-person
narrator: relates the events with the third-person pronouns, he,
she, and it.
Portmanteau: this device refers to the practice of joining two or more
words together in order to create an entirely new word.
Satire: a work that targets human vices and follies, or social institutions
and conventions, for reform or ridicule. Its best seen as a style of
writing rather than a purpose for writing.
Symbol: generally, anything that represents or stands for something
else. Usually, its something concretesuch as an object, action,
character, or scenethat represents something more abstract. E.g. a
rose can symbolize love. The swoosh represents the Nike company.
Syntax: the way an author choose to join words into phrases, clauses,
and sentences. It refers to groups of words. Consider the length or
brevity of sentences, unusual sentence constructions, the sentence
patterns used, and the kinds of sentences the author uses when
analyzing syntax. Try to classify what kind of sentences the author
uses, and then try to determine how the authors choices amplify
meaning, in other words why they work well for the authors purpose.
Theme: the central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into
life. Usually, its unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, it may be
directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing. It can
be stated as a universal truth, or general statement about the
human condition, society, or about mans relation to the natural world.
Tone: describes the authors attitude toward his or her material, the
audience, or both. Its easier to determine in spoken language than in
written language. Some words that can describe tone are playful,
serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate,
and somber.
Metaphor: a figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly
unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some
similarity. This type of language makes writing more vivid, imaginative,
thought provoking, and meaningful.

Simile: an explicit comparison, normally using like, as, or if. E.g.

O, my love is like a red, red rose. Robbie Burns.
Irony: the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really
meant; the difference between what appears to be and what actually is
true. Its frequently used to create poignancy or humor.