LIST OUT 20 LITERARY DEVICES WITH DEFINITIONS
AND SUITABLE EXAMPLES
ALLITERATION
Definition:
The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words.
Examples:
1. Peter
Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
2. The
wild winds whisked away the winter.
3. Sally
sells seashells by the seashore.
4. Betty
Botter bought some butter.
5. The big
brown bear basked by the bubbling brook.
6. Timid
turtles trot towards the tide.
7. The
golden glimmers gleamed in the sunlight.
8. A big
black bug bit a big black bear.
9. The
dawn’s delicate dew draped the daisies.
10. She
swiftly sang a sweet song.
METAPHOR
Definition:
A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things
without using "like" or "as."
Examples:
1. Time is
a thief.
2. The
classroom was a zoo.
3. He has
a heart of stone.
4. The
world is a stage.
5. Her
words were a soothing balm.
6. Life is
a journey.
7. The
wind was a whispering ghost.
8. His
mind is a steel trap.
9. The
night sky is a blanket of stars.
10. She is
the sunshine of my life.
SIMILE
Definition:
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or
"as."
Examples:
1. She is
as brave as a lion.
2. His
smile was like sunshine.
3. The
night sky was as dark as coal.
4. He
swims like a fish.
5. Her
voice was as smooth as silk.
6. Time
flew like a bird.
7. The
wind howled like a wolf.
8. He was
as stubborn as a mule.
9. The
classroom felt like a sauna.
10. Her
laughter was like music to his ears.
PERSONIFICATION
Definition:
Assigning human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract ideas.
Examples:
1. The
wind whispered through the trees.
2. The sun
smiled down on us.
3. Time
marches on.
4. The
flowers danced in the breeze.
5. The
waves crashed angrily against the shore.
6. The
moon watched over the sleeping town.
7. The car
groaned as it climbed the hill.
8. The
city never sleeps.
9. The
stars winked at us.
10. Death
smiled at him.
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HYPERBOLE
Definition:
An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally.
Examples:
1. I’m so
hungry I could eat a horse.
2. I’ve
told you a million times.
3. He’s
older than dirt.
4. It took
forever to finish my homework.
5. I’ll
love you until the end of time.
6. She’s
as skinny as a toothpick.
7. It’s
raining cats and dogs.
8. This
bag weighs a ton.
9. I have
a ton of homework.
10. I’m
dying of laughter.
IMAGERY
Definition:
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture in
the reader's mind.
Examples:
1. The
golden rays of the sun filtered through the trees.
2. The
aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air.
3. The icy
wind sliced through my jacket.
4. The
vibrant colors of the flowers burst in the spring garden.
5. The
soft, rhythmic sound of waves lapping the shore soothed me.
6. The
forest was dark and ominous, filled with the smell of damp earth.
7. Her
laughter rang like silver bells in the quiet night.
8. The
taste of the salty sea lingered on my lips.
9. The
old, creaky door groaned as it opened.
10. The
clouds rolled in, heavy and gray, promising rain.
OXYMORON
Definition:
A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
Examples:
1.
Deafening silence.
2. Bitter
sweet.
3. Jumbo
shrimp.
4. Act
naturally.
5.
Seriously funny.
6. Living
dead.
7. Open
secret.
8.
Original copy.
9. Alone
together.
10. Same
difference.
IRONY
Definition:
A contrast between expectation and reality, often highlighting a discrepancy
between what is said and what is meant.
Examples:
1. A fire
station burns down.
2. A
police officer gets arrested.
3. A pilot
afraid of heights.
4. The
dentist has a cavity.
5. The
teacher fails a test.
6. A
traffic cop gets a ticket for speeding.
7. A
health food store sells junk food.
8. A
marriage counselor files for divorce.
9. The cat
chases the dog.
10. A
comedian who is always serious.
ALLUSION
Definition:
An indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work.
Examples:
1. He was
a real Romeo with the ladies.
2. This
place is like a Garden of Eden.
3. She has
a Midas touch in her business.
4. The
project is a Herculean task.
5. He met
his Waterloo in the final exam.
6. Don’t
act like a Scrooge!
7. That’s
his Achilles’ heel.
8. She
felt like she was in a Catch-22 situation.
9. The boy
was as brave as Achilles.
10. This
is a real Pandora’s box of problems.
SYMBOLISM
Definition:
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Examples:
1. The
dove is a symbol of peace.
2. A red
rose symbolizes love.
3. The
color black often symbolizes death.
4. A chain
can symbolize strength or bondage.
5. The
American flag symbolizes freedom.
6. The
hourglass symbolizes the passage of time.
7. A skull
can symbolize danger or death.
8. The
color green often symbolizes growth or nature.
9. A
ladder can symbolize a path to success.
10. The
cross symbolizes Christianity.
FORESHADOWING
Definition:
A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later
in the story.
Examples:
1. The
dark clouds foreshadowed a storm.
2. The
character’s ominous words hinted at future trouble.
3. A
broken mirror in the first chapter symbolizes bad luck to come.
4. The mention
of an old prophecy suggests upcoming events.
5. The
unexpected arrival of a stranger foreshadows change.
6. Early
hints of betrayal set the stage for the climax.
7. The
character's nervousness hints at impending danger.
8. The
warning signs on the road foreshadow the accident.
9. The
sudden silence foreshadows an important revelation.
10. The
presence of shadows hints at lurking dangers.
CLIMAX
Definition:
The point of highest tension in a narrative; the turning point of the story.
Examples:
1. The
moment when Harry Potter confronts Voldemort.
2. The
explosion in a heist film that reveals the true motives.
3. The
final battle scene in "The Lord of the Rings."
4. The
revelation of the murderer in a detective novel.
5. The
moment the main character decides to change their life.
6. The
protagonist's confession in a romantic drama.
7. The
death of a key character in a tragedy.
8. The
moment when the hero faces their greatest fear.
9. The
scene where secrets are revealed in a family drama.
10. The
twist ending in a thriller novel.
ANECDOTE
Definition:
A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Examples:
1. A funny
story from childhood that illustrates a lesson learned.
2. An
anecdote about meeting a famous person unexpectedly.
3. A brief
story about a pet's mischievous behavior.
4. A tale
of a travel mishap that turned into a great adventure.
5. A
humorous encounter in a coffee shop.
6. An
inspiring story of overcoming obstacles.
7. A
lighthearted family gathering moment.
8. A
memorable moment from a school event.
9. A
quirky habit of a friend that leads to laughter.
10. An
embarrassing moment that teaches humility.
SATIRE
Definition:
A literary technique that uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or mock
social conventions or individuals.
Examples:
1.
"The Onion" articles mock current events.
2.
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" suggests absurd solutions to
societal problems.
3. George
Orwell's "Animal Farm" satirizes totalitarian regimes.
4.
"Saturday Night Live" sketches lampoon political figures.
5. Mark
Twain’s "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" critiques society’s
morals.
6. The
film "Dr. Strangelove" satirizes Cold War fears.
7.
"The Colbert Report" uses parody to comment on media.
8.
"Catch-22" mocks the absurdities of war.
9.
"Brave New World" critiques consumerism and conformity.
10.
"The Simpsons" satirizes family dynamics and American culture.
FLASHBACK
Definition:
A scene set in a time earlier than the main story, often used to provide background
information.
Examples:
1. A
character reminiscing about childhood memories during a current crisis.
2. A
soldier recalling moments from home before going into battle.
3. A
protagonist reflecting on a past relationship during a new romance.
4. A
narrative that reveals a family secret through a flashback.
5. A
character recalling a lesson learned in childhood
6. A dream
sequence that reveals past traumas.
7. A
detective remembering details from a previous case.
8. A scene
showing the main character's formative years.
9. A
revelation about a character’s motivations through a past event.
10. A
series of flashbacks that build tension in a thriller.
EUPHEMISM
Definition:
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too
harsh or blunt.
Examples:
1.
"Passed away" instead of "died."
2.
"Let go" instead of "fired."
3.
"In a family way" instead of "pregnant."
4.
"Senior citizen" instead of "old person."
5.
"Correctional facility" instead of "prison."
6.
"Downsizing" instead of "layoffs."
7.
"Used" instead of "second-hand."
8.
"Between jobs" instead of "unemployed."
9.
"Sleep with" instead of "have sex."
10.
"Comfort station" instead of "restroom."
TONE
Definition:
The writer's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word
choice and writing style.
Examples:
1. A
serious tone in a news article about a tragedy.
2. A
humorous tone in a comedy novel.
3. A
nostalgic tone in a memoir.
4. A
sarcastic tone in a satirical piece.
5. A
formal tone in an academic paper.
6. A
passionate tone in a political speech.
7. A
reflective tone in a personal essay.
8. A
critical tone in a review.
9. A
light-hearted tone in children's literature.
10. A
somber tone in poetry about loss.
DICTION
Definition:
The choice of words and phrases in speech or writing, which conveys tone and
meaning.
Examples:
1. Formal
diction in a legal document (e.g., "Hereinafter" instead of
"from now on").
2.
Informal diction in a conversation (e.g., "Gonna" instead of
"going to").
3. Poetic
diction that uses metaphors and similes.
4.
Colloquial diction reflecting regional dialects.
5. Archaic
diction in Shakespeare's works (e.g., "Thou" and "thee").
6. Jargon
used in scientific writing.
7. Simple
diction in children's books.
8.
Euphemistic diction in sensitive topics.
9.
Elevated diction in a speech to inspire.
10. Slang
diction in youth culture.
THEME
Definition:
The central idea or underlying message of a literary work.
Examples:
1. The
theme of love in "Romeo and Juliet."
2. The
theme of sacrifice in "The Hunger Games."
3. The
theme of power and corruption in "Animal Farm."
4. The
theme of identity in "The Catcher in the Rye."
5. The
theme of loss in "The Great Gatsby."
6. The
theme of friendship in "Harry Potter."
7. The
theme of revenge in "Hamlet."
8. The
theme of hope in "The Shawshank Redemption."
9. The
theme of nature vs. nurture in "Frankenstein."
10. The
theme of the American Dream in "Death of a Salesman."
ANTAGONIST
Definition:
A character or force that opposes the main character (protagonist) in a
narrative.
Examples:
1.
Voldemort in "Harry Potter."
2. Iago in
"Othello."
3. Sauron
in "The Lord of the Rings."
4. The
White Witch in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
5. Captain
Ahab in "Moby Dick."
6. Darth
Vader in "Star Wars."
7. Nurse
Ratched in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
8. The
wicked queen in "Snow White."
9. The
Joker in "Batman."
10. Mr.
Hyde in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
