Terms : Hide Images
| 4856407646 | Allegory | A symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Usually a rhetoric device, suggests a meaning via metaphoric examples. *Example: Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief and steadfastness will see you to the very top.* | 0 | |
| 4856421251 | Allusion | A figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference. It is up to the reader to make a connection to the subject being mentioned. *Example: It's no wonder everyone refers to Mary as another Mother Teresa in the making; she loves to help and care after people everywhere- from the streets to her own friends.* *In the example the author uses the mention of Mother Teresa to indicate the sort of qualities that Mary has. A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature; often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events.* | 1 | |
| 4856438566 | Apostrophe | A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present. *Example: Ugh, cell phone, why won't you load my messages?* | 2 | |
| 4856496401 | Attitude | A behavior a person adopts toward other people, things, incidents or happenings; can be referred as perspective or tone of the writer he adopts in a certain work. | 3 | |
| 4856442448 | Connotation | The associations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition. Many words have these that create emotions or feelings in the reader. *Example: And once again, the autumn leaves were falling.* *This phrase uses 'autumn' to signify something coming to an end.* | 4 | |
| 4901981455 | Denotation | The dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word. *Example: They built a house.* *In the above sentence, house is meant literally as in a building where a family lives. If the word "home" was used instead in the above sentence in place of "house", the meaning would not be so literal as there are many emotions associated with the word "home" beyond simply the structure where people live.* | 5 | |
| 4856455401 | Diction | The distinctive tone or tenor of an author's writings. Is not just a writer's choice of words; it can include the mood, attitude, dialect and style of writing. Usually judged with reference to the prevailing standards of proper writing and speech and is seen as the mark of quality of the writing. It is also understood as the selection of certain words or phrases that become peculiar to a writer. *Example: Certain writers in the modern day and age use archaic terms such as 'thy', 'thee' and 'wherefore' to imbue a Shakespearean mood to their work.* | 6 | |
| 4856470025 | Euphemism | The literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form. This device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and things "embarrassing". The purpose is to substitute unpleasant and severe words with more gentle ones in order to mask the harshness. The usage is sometimes manipulated to lend a touch of exaggeration or irony in satirical writing. *Example: Using "to put out to pasture" when one implies retiring a person because they are too old to be effective.* | 7 | |
| 4856471647 | Foreshadowing | The literary device refers to the use of indicative words or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Used to suggest an upcoming outcome to the story. *Example: "He had no idea of the disastrous chain of events to follow".* *In this sentence, while the protagonist is clueless of further developments, the reader learns that something disastrous and problematic is about to happen to/for him.* | 8 | |
| 4856471648 | Hyperbole | Literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose is to create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point. Such sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is generally not practically/realistically possible or plausible but helps emphasize an emotion. *Example: "I am so tired I cannot walk another inch" or "I'm so sleepy I might fall asleep standing here".* | 9 | |
| 4856473507 | Imagery | Author uses words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader. Helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author's writings. The usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes amongst other literary forms in order to "tickle" and awaken the readers' sensory perceptions is referred to as imagery. Not limited to only visual sensations, but also refers to igniting kinesthetic, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, thermal and auditory sensations as well. *Example: The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds.* | 10 | |
| 4856473508 | Irony | Playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. Often used to suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put forth. The deeper, real layer of significance is revealed not by the words themselves but the situation and the context in which they are placed. *Example: "Oh! What fine luck I have!".* *The sentence on the surface conveys that the speaker is happy with their luck but actually what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with their (bad) luck.* | 11 | |
| 4856473509 | Metaphor | One subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits. The first subject, which is the focus of the sentences is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey a degree of meaning that is used to characterize the first. The purpose is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject). *Example: "Henry was a lion on the battlefield"*. *This sentence suggests that Henry fought so valiantly and bravely that he embodied all the personality traits we attribute to the ferocious animal. This sentence implies immediately that Henry was courageous and fearless, much like the King of the Jungle.* | 12 | |
| 4856474887 | Metonymy | The practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word. It is the practice of substituting the main word with a word that is closely linked to it. *Example: When we use the name "Washington D.C" we are talking about the U.S political hot seat by referring to the political capital of the United States because all the significant political institutions such as the White House, Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and many more are located her. The phrase "Washington D.C." is metonymy for the government of the U.S. in this case.* | 13 | |
| 4856474888 | Mood | A definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work. It refers to the mental and emotional disposition of the author towards the subject, which in turn lends a particular character or atmosphere to the work. The final tone achieved thus is instrumental in evoking specific, appropriate responses from the reader. *Example: In Erich Segal's Love Story, the relationship of the two protagonists is handled with such beauty, delicateness and sensitivity that the reader is compelled to feel the trials and tribulations of the characters.* | 14 | |
| 4856474889 | Paradox | The use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glace, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight. It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. *Example: High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king.* | 15 | |
| 4856477100 | Parody | A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author's work for comic effect or ridicule. | 16 | |
| 4856477101 | Point of View | Perspective from which a story is told; serves as the instrument to relay the events of a story, and in some instances, the feelings and motives of the character(s). *Example: 1st, 2nd, 3rd* | 17 | |
| 4856478568 | Personification | The practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals. *Example: "The raging winds", "The wise owl", "The warm and comforting fire""* | 18 | |
| 4856478569 | Onomatopoeia | Words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict. In other words, it refers to sound words whose pronunciation to the actual sound they represent. *Example: Words such as grunt, huff, buzz and snap are words whose pronunciation sounds very similar to the actual sounds these words represent. In literature such words are useful in creating a stronger mental image. For instance, sentences such as "the whispering of the forest trees" or "the hum of a thousand bees" or "the click of the door in the nighttime" create vivid mental images.* | 19 | |
| 4856480109 | Oxymoron | Contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. An interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing. *Example: Sometimes we cherish things of little value. He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.* | 20 | |
| 4856480110 | Satire | The practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw. The use is often inclusive of a need or decision of correcting or bettering the character that is on the receiving end. In general, even though the practice might be humorous and may "make fun", its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of contempt from the reader. *Example: An example of satire in modern pop culture is the TV series Southpark that uses the practice as its primary medium for drawing attention the flaws in society, especially American society at present. The scripts and writing for the show are an excellent example of this practice in written form.* | 21 | |
| 4856480111 | Simile | Drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. By using these, a greater degree of meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise simple sentence. The reader is able to better understand the sentiment the author wishes to convey. Marked by the use of the words 'as' or 'such as' or 'like'. *Example: He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.* | 22 | |
| 4856481434 | Synecdoche | A literary device that uses a part of something to refer to the whole or vice versa. It is somewhat rhetorical in nature, where the entire object is represented by way of a fraction of it or a fraction of the object is symbolized by the whole. *Example: "Weary feet in the walk of life", does not refer to the feet actually being tired or painful; it is symbolic of a long, hard struggle through the journey of life and feeling low, tired, unoptimistic and 'the walk of life' does not represent an actual path or distance covered, instead refers to the entire sequence of life events that has made the person tired.* | 23 | |
| 4856482802 | Tone | The perspective or attitude that the author adopts with regards to a specific character, place or development. Can portray a variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave, and critical to witty, wry and humorous. Helps the reader ascertain the writer's feelings towards a particular topic and this in turn influences the reader's understanding of the story. *Example: In her Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling has taken an extremely positive, inspiring and uplifting tone towards the idea of love and devotion.* | 24 |
