Literary Devices

Question 1

Contrast

Answer 1

Comparing unlike elements for effect

Question 2

Onomatopoeia

Answer 2

A word that imitates the sound it represents

Question 3

Image

Answer 3

A concrete representation of one of the senses

Question 4

Nemesis

Answer 4

Long standing archenemy of the main character

Question 5

Oxymoron

Answer 5

Combination of two words that appear to contradict one another

Question 6

Repetition

Answer 6

Re-use of words/phrases for effect

Question 7

Slant rhyme

Answer 7

Words that almost rhyme

Question 8

Hamartia

Answer 8

A fatal flaw

Question 9

Neologism

Answer 9

Creating a new/imaginary word

Question 10

Deuse ex machina

Answer 10

The use of a “god machine” to save the day in a difficult situation

Question 11

Synechdoche

Answer 11

A part represents the whole

Question 12

Symbol

Answer 12

Ordinary object that stands for greater meaning

Question 13

Catharsis

Answer 13

Purification of spirit through emotions of pity/terror as witness to tragedy

Question 14

Metaphor

Answer 14

Comparison of two unlike things

Question 15

Caesura

Answer 15

Long pause in the middle of a sentence

Question 16

Personification

Answer 16

Giving living attributes to non-living things

Question 17

Allegory

Answer 17

Symbolic narrative with second meaning

Question 18

Imagery

Answer 18

Pattern of related images

Question 19

Protagonist

Answer 19

The main character/hero

Question 20

Juxtaposition

Answer 20

Two things place next to each other for effect

Question 21

Apostrophe

Answer 21

Addressing an entity that can’t respond

Question 22

Verisimilitude

Answer 22

Semblance of reality

Question 23

Hyperbole

Answer 23

Extreme exaggeration

Question 24

Anastrophe

Question 25

Cacophony

Answer 25

Discordant sounds

Question 26

Assonance

Answer 26

Repeated vowel sound

Question 27

Epiphany

Answer 27

Sudden idea or revelation to something

Question 28

Satire

Answer 28

Literary style used to make fun of an idea or human weakness

Question 29

Anthropomorphism

Answer 29

Giving animals/god/items human characteristics or behaviors

Question 30

Bildungsroman

Answer 30

Novel about main character's formation/education/coming of age

Question 31

Syntax

Answer 31

Arrangement of words/phrases to create a sentence

Question 32

Antagonist

Answer 32

Reversing normal syntax

Question 33

Ellipsis

Answer 33

Removing of word/phrase/sequence of events to allow reader to fill in the blanks

Question 34

Enjambment

Answer 34

Run-on line of poetry

Question 35

Zoomorphism

Answer 35

Assigning animal characteristics to non-animal things

Question 36

Allusion

Answer 36

Brief reference to other works. Often biblical or classical

Question 37

Consonance

Answer 37

Repetition of consonant sounds

Question 38

Motif

Answer 38

Recurring device/formula/situation