literary devices. literary devices are used to: call attention to the important parts of a story ...

Literary Devices

Literary devices are used to: call attention to the important parts of a

story make the writing style memorable add to the characterization, setting, plot,

and theme

Foreshadowing

• hints and clues that the author gives the reader about what will happen later in the story

• used to build anticipation in the reader

Example: “…as though he waited for some beast of the woods to come within the range of his vision…” (Munro 11).

Personification

• giving human characteristics to an object or creature that is not human

Examples: The sun smiled down on us.The leaves danced in the breeze.

Hyperbole

• extreme exaggeration used to make a point

Examples:I have a million things to do today.He is as old as the hills.These books weigh a ton.

Onomatopoeia

• the naming of an object or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it

Examples:buzz, hiss, swish, bang, clap

Alliteration

• the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words

Example: “The rest of Harrison’s appearance was Halloween and hardware. Nobody had ever worn heavier handicaps” (Vonnegut 7).

Symbol:

• a person, place, object, or image that represents another idea, feeling, or belief

• a symbol has its own meaning, but also stands for something beyond itself

Examples: wine in “The Interlopers” handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron”

Symbolism:

• the author’s use of symbols to add meaning to a story

• General symbols stand for universal ideasExamples: heart for love, skull for death

• Constructed symbols created by an author to represent an important idea in a particular story

Examples: ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz, handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron”

Allusion = a brief reference to a well-known person, place, historical

event, literary work, or work of art

Types of Allusions:

• Biblical• Historical• Classical (mythology)• Literary (fairy tales often become allusions

Prince Charming, Big Bad Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel)

• Shakespeare allusions are common • Popular culture/ sports

Allusions:

• Why do authors/ artists/ musicians use “allusion”?- helps create a certain mood quickly, without a lot of explanation

- connects author/ artist/ musician to the reader or audience

Imagery

The use of descriptive and/or figurative language to create “word pictures” in the

mind of the reader

Imagery

Figurative language includes • Metaphor • Simile• Hyperbole• Personification• Alliteration • Onomatopoeia