Literary Terms and Devices Flashcards
simile
a comparison using like or as
metaphor
a direct comparison not using like or as (He is a sly fox).
point of view
refers to who is telling or narrating a story. A story can be told in three different ways: first person, second person, third person. The point of view of a story is how the writer wants to convey the experience to the reader.
symbolism
a symbol in literature is an object, person, or event that represents an idea or a set of ideas. The cross is a symbol for Christianity.
juxtaposition
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with a contrasting effect. “the juxtaposition of these two images”
flashback
is a scene which takes the narrative back to a time before the current point in the plot
foreshadowing
refers to the clues that an author provides to suggest later events in the story
alliteration
the sam consonant begins tow or more words in a row in order to draw attention to those words
onomatopoeia
sound symbolism. The sound of the word represents the read song (bang, boom, crash)
repetition
words are repeated in order to draw attention tot hem(back and forth, back and forth)
hyperbole
exaggeration is used for effect or emphasis (there were thousands of ants on her!)
personification
an inanimate object is given human qualities (the trees danced in the wind)
imagery
vivid descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste)
theme
a theme in poetry is the main idea of the poem and/or the authors’ feelings about it
setting
refers to the term and place where the events of a novel occur
