This document defines and provides examples of various literary devices and terms: 1) Allegory is a work that uses characters and events to represent deeper meanings. For example, Lord of the Flies is an allegory. 2) Alliteration is the repetition of sounds in words close together, like "feet" in "stopped the sound of feet." 3) Symbolism uses references to represent deeper meanings, like referring to someone as having the "patience of Job."

2. • a work in which the characters and
events are to be understood as
representing other things, usually a
deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political
meaning.
• Ex. The Lord of the Flies

3. • is the repetition of sounds in words of
close prximity
• generally more than 2 words
Ex. I stood still and stopped the sound of feet
-from Acquainted with the Night by Robert Frost

4. • a brief reference to a person, event, or
place, real or fictitious, or to a work of art.
• used to create a deeper meaning or
understanding
Ex. He has the patience of Job.

5. • a similarity in some respects between
things otherwise unlike
• like a metaphor, but with more elaboration

6. • the method used by a writer to develop a
character.
• point of view
• actions
• personality
• values
• physical attributes

7. • a struggle between opposing forces
• conflict may be internal or external
• man vs. self (internal)
• man vs. man
• man vs. nature
• man v.s society
• a conflict is essential in a story

8. • a writer‟s choice of
words, phrases, sentence
structures, and figurative language
which combine to help create meaning

9. • hints about what will come later in the
story

10. • an obvious exaggeration used for effect
• Ex. I called you a million times today.

11. • language that evokes one or all of the
five senses
• Imagery is typically used to create a
deeper understanding of
theme, characters, setting,etc.
Ex. "A host of golden daffodils; / Beside the lake, beneath
the trees, / Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
-I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, William Wordsworth

12. • The disconnect between what actually happens
and what might be expected to happen.
Situational: when and event is opposite of what would be
expected
Dramatic: when the audience or reader is aware of
something important but the characters in the story are
not aware.
Verbal: what is said and what is meant are opposite

13. • a comparison of two unlike things
• Often uses "to be“ verbs
(is, am, are, was, were, etc.) instead of
using „like‟ or „as‟
• Ex. Her eyes are crystal lakes.
• Ex. I am an abandoned house.

14. • the emotional and/or physical
atmosphere created by the setting and
descriptions

15. • an important and sometimes recurring
theme or idea

16. • putting two contradictory words together
Ex. Deafening silence, a wise fool

17. • a statement, proposition, or situation that
seems to be absurd or contradictory, but
in fact is or may be true.
Ex. “It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times.” A Tale of Two Cities

18. • a piece of writing that deliberately copies
or imitates another work in order to
comment or critique it.
Ex. Tina Fey does a parady of Sarah
Palin.

19. • human qualities are attributed to
inanimate objects
• abstract concepts are represented as a
person.
Ex. The flowers danced in the wind.
Poseidon is the personification of the sea

20. • sequence of events in a story
Includes:
Rising action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution

21. • the person or entity through whom the
reader experiences the story
• Perspectives include:
1st person
2nd person
3rd person (limited, omniscient, objective)

22. • is the use of wit, especially
irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to critique
politics and society.

23. • the time and place where a story occurs
• setting can also be a character
(Castaway, Into the Wild)

24. • a comparison between two unlike things
• most often uses „like‟ or „as‟
Ex. “My love is like a red, red rose.”

25. • the use of something concrete to
represent something abstract
Ex. A dove symbolizes peace.

26. • the main idea or message of a piece
• Theme is NEVER just one word.
“Love” isn‟t a theme
“Love endures all things” is a theme
Ex. The idea that human beings are essentially
brutal, savage creatures provides the central theme of the
novel

27. • the attitude of the speaker/narrator as
established through the language of the
piece
Ex. The poem has a bitter tone, revealing the
speaker‟s anger and resentment.