Literary Terms

By: Tyana Battle

Literary Devices

• a literary or linguistic technique that produces a specific effect, esp. a

figure of speech, narrative style, or plot mechanism

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Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate

and overemphasize the basic statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect.

• Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Simile

Simile- The practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and

dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. Similes are marked by the use of the

words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’.

• Example: He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.

Metaphor

A metaphor compares two things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

• Example: David was a beast on the football field tonight.

• Ty is a Night Owl.

Onomatopoeia

The term ‘onomatopoeia’ refers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict. • Example: Quack, quack went the ducks as we threw

them our stale bread.• Zip! My dress was fastened and I was finally ready for

the wedding.

Synecdoche

A synecdoche is a literary devices that uses a part of something to refer to the whole. • Example: All hands on deck.• Get your butt over here and sit down.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a combination of two contradictory terms.

Example: Jumbo shrimp.

Euphemism

The term ‘euphemism’ is used to refer to the literary practice of using a comparatively milder or

less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form.

• Example: The woman passed away in her sleep.

Idiom

An expression with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual word.• Example: My dad flipped out when his car

was stolen.

Cliché

An expression that has lost its power or originality from overuse.

• Example: You are moving as slow as molasses.

Pun

A humorous play on words, often involving double meaning.• Example: Santa’s helpers are known as subordinate

Clauses.• I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it

hit me.• I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang,

but eventually it came back to me.

Alliteration

Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound

group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar

sounds in the sentence. • Example: Alice’s aunt ate apples and acorns around August.

Analogy

An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the

purpose of explanation or clarification• Example: A car is to a garage as a hamburger is

to a bun.

Quiz

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