literary devices. literary devices are used to: call attention to the important parts of a story ...
TRANSCRIPT
Literary Devices
Literary devices are used to: call attention to the important parts of a
story make the writing style memorable add to the characterization, setting, plot,
and theme
Foreshadowing
• hints and clues that the author gives the reader about what will happen later in the story
• used to build anticipation in the reader
Example: “…as though he waited for some beast of the woods to come within the range of his vision…” (Munro 11).
Personification
• giving human characteristics to an object or creature that is not human
Examples: The sun smiled down on us.The leaves danced in the breeze.
Hyperbole
• extreme exaggeration used to make a point
Examples:I have a million things to do today.He is as old as the hills.These books weigh a ton.
Onomatopoeia
• the naming of an object or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it
Examples:buzz, hiss, swish, bang, clap
Alliteration
• the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words
Example: “The rest of Harrison’s appearance was Halloween and hardware. Nobody had ever worn heavier handicaps” (Vonnegut 7).
Symbol:
• a person, place, object, or image that represents another idea, feeling, or belief
• a symbol has its own meaning, but also stands for something beyond itself
Examples: wine in “The Interlopers” handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron”
Symbolism:
• the author’s use of symbols to add meaning to a story
• General symbols stand for universal ideasExamples: heart for love, skull for death
• Constructed symbols created by an author to represent an important idea in a particular story
Examples: ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz, handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron”
Allusion = a brief reference to a well-known person, place, historical
event, literary work, or work of art
Types of Allusions:
• Biblical• Historical• Classical (mythology)• Literary (fairy tales often become allusions
Prince Charming, Big Bad Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel)
• Shakespeare allusions are common • Popular culture/ sports
Allusions:
• Why do authors/ artists/ musicians use “allusion”?- helps create a certain mood quickly, without a lot of explanation
- connects author/ artist/ musician to the reader or audience
Imagery
The use of descriptive and/or figurative language to create “word pictures” in the
mind of the reader
Imagery
Figurative language includes • Metaphor • Simile• Hyperbole• Personification• Alliteration • Onomatopoeia