ALLITERATION The occurrence of the same letter or

sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

“While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there come a tapping…”

-The RavenEdgar Allan Poe

FORESHADOWING An author’s use of hints

or clues to suggest events that may occur later in the story.

Not always obvious. Frequently, future events

are merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or attitudes and reactions of the characters.

HYPERBOLE Exaggerated statements or claims not

meant to be taken literally.

IMAGERY Languages that appeals to the senses.

Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of sense.

Example: As he bit into the crisp, red apple, the sweet juice ran down his chin.

IRONY VERBAL: When a speaker says one thing but means

another.

DRAMATIC: This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than what the characters know.

SITUATIONAL IRONY: When something happens and a reversal of expectations occurs.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/irony

METAPHOR A comparison of two unlike things using

any form of the verb “to be”–-i.e. am, are, is, was, were.

Example: “This chair is a rock,” or “I am an island.”

ONOMATOPOEIA

The use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

Example: BOOM, Sizzle, Crash

OXYMORONA figure of speech in which apparently

two words that contradict each other appear together, for effect.

Example: burning ice, larger half, minor crisis.

PARADOX a statement or proposition that seems

self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

Example: “That store is so busy, nobody goes there anymore”

“Don’t go near the water until you have learned to swim!”

PERSONIFICATIONGiving inanimate objects human characteristics.

Example: The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.

PUNThe use of a word in a way that plays on

its different meanings. Example:

I knew a woman who owned a taser, man was she stunning!

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

SIMILE Simile:

Comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as.”

Example: “I’m as hungry as a pig,” or

“Your eyes are like stars that brighten my night.”

“I’m SOHungry”

SYMBOLISM A person, place or object that has a

meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well.

Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious.

For example:a dove is a symbol of peace.