Literary Devices

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What is an oxymoron?

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An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction, such as 'deafening silence.'

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What is a metaphor?

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A metaphor is a literary device that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' such as 'Life is a toaster.'

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What is symbolism in literature?

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Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas or qualities, such as water symbolizing rebirth.

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What is an allusion?

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An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work, such as referencing Pinocchio to imply dishonesty.

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What is a simile?

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as,' such as 'as brave as a lion.'

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What is hyperbole?

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Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect, such as 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

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What is personification?

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Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts, such as 'the wind whispered through the trees.'

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What is imagery?

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Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures, such as 'the golden sun set over the tranquil sea.'

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What is assonance?

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Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, often used in poetry to create rhythm, such as 'the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.'

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What is foreshadowing?

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Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.