Figurative Language and Literary Devices

They are what makes literature come to

life!

SimileSimiles are used to show comparison between two things. Similes use “like” or “as” to form the comparison.

Some Simile Examples We don’t need to worry about her drowning because she swims like a fish.

He was as quiet as a mouse when he crept through the door.

Metaphor

A metaphor compares two things by saying one IS the other or by connecting two things, usually when it is an unlikely comparison.

Some Metaphor Examples

She had a heart of stone when she broke up with him.

His legs were dead posts as he tried to run away in fear.

Allusion Allusion means “reference” or when

something within a story refers to something that exists somewhere else, in an original form. Sometimes it sounds like a simile because the words like or as are used; however, it is allusion when it refers to a symbol, person, or other thing that originates somewhere else.

An Example of Allusion "The day was young and I was

looking forward to the afternoon. I was suppose to go out on a date, but my plans were changed. All my siblings were gone, but I had been in the house slaving like Cinderella, scrubbing the floors on my hand and knees, washing clothes and dishes and making everyones' beds".   

 from Crystal B. in Grade 11 at Oakland High

http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/allusion/page2.html

Dialect

Dialect is used to show how people talk in different regions of the country or areas of the world.

Examples of Dialect “Hey y’all” – Hello “Like, I dunno, Dude” – I don’t know

“I reckon it don’t matter” – I guess it’s not important

Hyperbole

Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration

to make a point.

Examples of Hyperbole I just died when I saw her wearing the same dress I bought!

My backpack weighed a ton with all my books in it!

Irony

In literature, irony is when events happen in an opposite way than how they were expected.

Situational Irony

Situational Irony is when a character finds himself in a situation he doesn’t expect. It is the “surprise” of the situation that is ironic.

One Example of Situational Irony

Situational Irony - You break a date with your girlfriend so you can go to the ball game with the guys. When you go to the concession stand, you run into your girlfriend who is with another guy. )-:

Situational Irony again…

Situational Irony again -You stay up all night studying for a test. When you go to class, you discover you wrote down the wrong day. The test is not until the next day!

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony is when the reader knows something the character does not. It adds drama to the scene because the character is unaware of what is about to happen.

An Example of Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony – The character is opening the door of his house, not knowing that there is someone inside the house in the midst of robbing it. The intruder is armed, and the character entering his home will be now in danger…

Verbal Irony

Verbal Irony is when a character says something that is the opposite of what he means. It is also called sarcasm.

An Example of Verbal Irony

A girl sees her friend after knowing she has lied about her. She greets her with, “Oh, here is my best friend in the world!”

Mood and Tone

A writer can affect the mood and tone of the story by using words to create them. An author chooses words carefully to create TONE, and we, the readers, get the MOOD of that tone as we read.

An Example of Mood

Setting: a foggy night“The fog seemed to creak out of

every crevice, enveloping me so I couldn’t see.”

The author has used specific words to create a frightening tone; thus, the reader gets an eery mood from the passage.

Conflict – External/Internal

When a character is faced with a problem, that is a conflict.

External Conflict – the character faces a problem with other characters, society, or other outside forces.

Internal Conflict – the character faces a problem inside his own mind.

Symbolism

Symbolism – a person, place, thing, or event that has meaning in itself and stands for something else as well.

An Example of Symbolism

The bald eagle – a symbol of the United States but also symbolizes courage and freedom.

A dove with an olive branch – usually symbolizes a peace offering.

A skull and crossbones – often symbolizes poison or danger.

Idioms

An idiom is an expression that uses unlikely words to mean something that isn’t to be taken literally.

“Hold your tongue” – means to be quiet.

“Bury your head in the sand” – means to ignore a difficult situation.

Personification

Personification gives human or life-like qualities to something not human or inanimate.

Examples of Personification The engine sang after its tune-up.

Leaves danced in the air. The house refused to surrender against the storm.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the use of a repeating beginning consonant sound throughout a sentence.

Examples of Alliteration Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Susie searches for seashells by the seashore.

Tony tends to tinker with toys on Tuesdays.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is naming a thing or action by imitating the sound associated with it.

Examples of Onomatopoeia

KerplunkBuzzVrroomCrash