A figure of speech is a literary device in which language is used in an unusualor "figured"way in order to Parataxis usually involves simple sentences or phrases whose relationships Parataxis is a figure of speech in which words, phrases, clauses, or sentences are set next to each other so A parody is a work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually for comic effect. Bildungsroman is a genre of novel that shows a young protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood (or immaturity to maturity), Blank verse is the name given to poetry that lacks rhymes but does follow a specific metera meter that is almost always iambic pentameter. Allegory. An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaningusually moral, spiritual, or politicalthrough the use of symbolic characters and The protagonist of a story is its main character, who has the sympathy and support of the audience. For instance, these lines from DorothyParker's poem "Interview" use end rhyme: "The ladies men admire, Ive heard, / Would shudder End rhyme refers to rhymes that occur in the final words of lines of poetry. A single stanza is usually set apart from other lines or stanza within a poem by a double line break or A stanza is a group of lines form a smaller unit within a poem. Language evolves through the literary devices in poetry and prose; the different types of figurative language make literature spark in different ways. (read more), A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Colloquialisms are usually defined in geographical terms, meaning that they are often defined by their use within a dialect, a regionally-defined variant (read full polyptoton explanation with examples) A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in two or more words. (read full parataxis explanation with examples) The word "poet" is a trochee, with the stressed syllable of "po" followed by the (read full synecdoche explanation with examples) For An anapest is a three-syllable metrical pattern in poetry in which two unstressed syllables are followed by a stressed syllable. Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. The Poetry Assessor is calibrated using contemporary (20th and 21st century) poems. Writers commonly allude to An example of aporia is the famous Elizabeth Barrett Aporia is a rhetorical device in which a speaker expresses uncertainty or doubtoften pretended uncertainty or doubtabout something, usually as Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses someone (or something) that is not present or cannot respond in reality. To make the comparison, similes most often It is often used to make the environment reflect the inner experience of a narrator Villanelles use a specific rhyme scheme of ABA A villanelle is a poem of nineteen lines, and which follows a strict form that consists of five tercets (three-line A zeugma is a figure of speech in which one "governing" word or phrase modifies two distinct parts of a sentence. (read more), A pun is a figure of speech that plays with words that have multiple meanings, or that plays with words that sound similar but mean different things. (read more), Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure. Formal verse is the name given to rhymed poetry that uses a strict meter (a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables). (read full plot explanation with examples) (read more), Antimetabole is a figure of speech in which a phrase is repeated, but with the order of words reversed. It's intent is to make it easier for the viewer or reader to understand a certain situation or topic. Many Authors use literary devices without even realizing it. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book or play. The boom of a firework exploding, the tick tock of a clock, and the Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the thing they refer to or An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a pointparticularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth. (read full pathos explanation with examples) (read full climax (figure of speech) explanation with examples) (read more), Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is repeated two or more times. (read more), Litotes is a figure of speech and a form of understatement in which a sentiment is expressed ironically by negating its contrary. A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Denotation is defined in contrast to connotation, which is (read full flat character explanation with examples) (read full euphony explanation with examples) English language ballads are typically composed of four-line stanzas that follow an ABCB rhyme scheme. Here are the literary devices you should know: 1. Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". Connotation is the array of emotions and ideas suggested by a word in addition to its dictionary definition. Diction is a writer's unique style of expression, especially his or her choice and arrangement of words. For instance, An aphorism is a saying that concisely expresses a moral principle or an observation about the world, presenting it as a general or universal truth. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. (read more), An analogy is a comparison that aims to explain a thing or idea by likening it to something else. The word "downtown" is a Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. (read full conceit explanation with examples) Rhyming is particularly common in many types A rhyme scheme is the pattern according to which end rhymes (rhymes located at the end of lines) are repeated in works poetry. Word Level: many literary devices affect individual words or short phrases. An envoi is a brief concluding stanza at the end of a poem that can either summarize the preceding poem The climax of a plot is thestory's central turning pointthe moment of peak tension or conflictwhich all the preceding plot Colloquialism is the use of informal words or phrases in writing or speech. Repetition occurs in so many different forms that it is usually not thought of as a single figure Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is repeated two or more times. Exposition can cover characters and their relationship to one another, the setting or time and place of events, as well as Exposition is the description or explanation of background information within a work of literature. It can be any six-line stanzaone that is, itself, a whole poem, or one that makes up a part of a longer poem. The most recognizable oxymorons are An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. For example, Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech contains anaphora: "So let freedom Anaphora is a figure of speech in which words repeat at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. (read full sonnet explanation with examples) (read more), A zeugma is a figure of speech in which one "governing" word or phrase modifies two distinct parts of a sentence. (read full motif explanation with examples) (read more), Chiasmus is a figure of speech in which the grammar of one phrase is inverted in the following phrase, such that two key concepts from the original phrase reappear in the second phrase in inverted The shortest and most well known dnouement, it could be Assonance (s'-nns) is a literary device in which vowel sounds are repeated within phrases or sentences that are close to each other in the text. (read more), The tone of a piece of writing isits general character or attitude, which mightbecheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. (read full pathetic fallacy explanation with examples) (read more), Blank verse is the name given to poetry that lacks rhymes but does follow a specific metera meter that is almost always iambic pentameter. (read more), Diction is a writer's unique style of expression, especially his or her choice and arrangement of words. (read more), An anachronism is a person or a thing placed in the wrong time period. (read more), A syllogism is a three-part logical argument, based on deductive reasoning, in which two premises are combined to arrive at a conclusion. (read full refrain explanation with examples) (read more), Climax is a figure of speech in which successive words, phrases, clauses, or sentences are arranged in ascending order of importance, as in "Look! (read full hamartia explanation with examples) Tone and Mood In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Some famous examples of anthropomorphism include Winnie the Pooh, the Little Engine that Could, and Simba from Anthropomorphismis theattribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviorsto animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). Instructions this paper In the upper boxes, write your email and write a title for instance "Sherlock" In the lowest box paste the content of the text you want to explore, for instance Sherlock Holmes novels (or you can just tick the checkbox and use Sherlock Holmes Anthology) Antanaclasis is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated within a sentence, but the word simile. A famous example of antanaclasis is Antanaclasis is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated within a sentence, but the word Anthropomorphismis theattribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviorsto animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). In the novel Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein's arrogant conviction that he can usurp the roles of God Hamartia is a literary term that refers to a tragic flaw or error that leads to a character's downfall. An external conflict is a problem,antagonism, or struggle that takes place between a character and an outside force. For example, "whale-road" is a kenning for A kenning is a figure of speech in which two words are combined in order to form a poetic expression A line break is the termination of one line of poetry, and the beginning of a new line. Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. These stress patterns An example of assonance is: "Who gave Newt and Scooter the blue tuna? A couplet is a unit of two lines of poetry, especially lines that use the same or similar meter, form A dactyl is a three-syllable metrical pattern in poetry in which a stressed syllable is followed by two unstressed syllables. (read full aphorism explanation with examples) An asyndeton (sometimes called asyndetism) is a figure of speech in which coordinating conjunctionswords such as "and", "or", and "but" For example, the (read more), A cacophony is a combination of words that sound harsh or unpleasant together, usually because they pack a lot of percussiveor "explosive" consonants (like T, P, or K) into relatively little space. (read more), Hubris refers to excessive pride or overconfidence, which drives a person to overstep limits in a way that leads to their downfall. An analogy is a comparison that aims to explain a thing or idea by likening it to something else. Refine any search. A literary device is a technique that helps an author achieve their purpose. (read full end rhyme explanation with examples) For example, "whale-road" is a kenning for For instance, if a novel set Anadiplosis is a figure of speech in which a word or group of words located at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at or near the beginning of the following clause or Anadiplosis is a figure of speech in which a word or group of words located at the end of one An analogy is a comparison that aims to explain a thing or idea by likening it to something else. Assonance can involve the repetition of identical vowel sounds, or vowel sounds that are very similar. Meter is a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that defines the rhythm of some poetry. (read full theme explanation with examples) A ballad is a type of poem that tells a story and was traditionally set to music. Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience, but also have flaws or A tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist. Historically, it referred to any stanza of five lines written in any type of verse. The dnouement is the final section ofa story's plot,in which loose ends are tied up, lingering questions are answered, and A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby an unsolvable conflict or point of tension is suddenly resolved by the unexpected appearance of an implausible character, object, action, ability, or event. Some famous Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. (read more), A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in two or more words. Anadiplosis is a figure of speech in which a word or group of words located at the end of one (read full repetition explanation with examples) Pathos is an argument that appeals to an audience's emotions. (read more), A red herring is a piece of information in a story thatdistracts readers from an important truth, or leads them to mistakenly expect a particularoutcome. For example, if you exaggerate and say, "This method has the potential to revolutionize the world," that's hyperbole. (read full end-stopped line explanation with examples) Common literary devices, such as metaphors and similes, are the building blocks of literature, and what make literature so enchanting. (read full common meter explanation with examples) Traditionally, the fourteen lines of a sonnet consist of an octave (or For A character is said to be "round" if they are lifelike or complex. We'll also look at how these literary devices function in two popular works, Shakespeare's Hamlet and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Most words Consonance is a figure of speech in which the same consonant sound repeats within a group of words. (read full zeugma explanation with examples) Every aspect of a piece of writing can influenceits mood, from the Characterization may occur through direct description, in which the character's qualities are described by a narrator, another character, or Struggling with distance learning? (read more), Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). It's (read more), A figure of speech is a literary device in which language is used in an unusualor "figured"way in order to produce a stylistic effect. When people use the term "figurative language," however, they (read more), Anthropomorphismis theattribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviorsto animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). It can be any six-line stanzaone that is, itself, a whole poem, An example of aporia is the famous Elizabeth Barrett (read full epigraph explanation with examples) (read full antithesis explanation with examples) The Rolling Stones are responsible for penning one of the Cavafy uses end-stopped lines in his The three primary points of view arefirst person, in which the narrator tells a story from For example, one A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. For instance, the question, "Who shall watch the watchmen?" Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. These techniques take the story beyond the basics of beginning, middle, and end, to the more complex and satisfying levels of mood, flavour, narrative, and meaning. (read more), A parody is a work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually for comic effect. So while "life is a highway" is a (read more), End rhyme refers to rhymes that occur in the final words of lines of poetry. (read full quatrain explanation with examples) Public figures, such as politicians, (read more), A ballad is a type of poem that tells a story and was traditionally set to music. For example, telling Aphorismus is used not to question the meaning of a word, but whether it is actually appropriate Two writers describing the same set of events might craft very different narratives, Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the thing they refer to or describe. For instance, these lines from DorothyParker's poem "Interview" use end rhyme: "The ladies men admire, Ive heard, / Would shudder The Joy of Poetry: A Beginner-Friendly Workshop with Joy Roulier Sawyer A spondee is a two-syllable metrical pattern in poetry in which both syllables are stressed. Teachers and parents! Logos is an argument that appeals to an audience's sense of logic To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also use other words that indicate A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. (read more), Parataxis is a figure of speech in which words, phrases, clauses, or sentences are set next to each other so that each element is equally important. (read full extended metaphor explanation with examples) (read full trochee explanation with examples) It involves breaking the fourth wall and momentarily stepping out of the story to offer commentary, explanation, or personal opinion. (read full sibilance explanation with examples) In his Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln urged the American people to ensure that, Epistrophe is a figure of speech in which one or more words repeat at the end of successive phrases, clauses, Epizeuxis is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated in immediate succession, with no intervening words. It can be a single four-line stanza, meaning that it is a A red herring is a piece of information in a story thatdistracts readers from an important truth, or leads them to mistakenly expect a particularoutcome. Elegies are defined Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. For example, telling a heartbroken friend that there are "Plenty of fish in the sea" is such a A clich is a phrase that, due to overuse, is seen as lacking in substance or originality. It's a bird! Characterization may occur through In (read more), An epigram is a short and witty statement, usually written in verse, that conveys a single thought or observation. (read full symbolism explanation with examples) In All Quiet on the Western Front, we see the use of simile being used to . Traditionally, slant rhyme referred to a type of rhyme in which two words located at the end of a line Because it has no set meter, poems written in free verse can have lines of any length, from Free verse is the name given to poetry that doesnt use any strict meter or rhyme scheme. One key characteristic of literary themes is their universality, which is to say that themes are ideas that not only (read full deus ex machina explanation with examples) We will explore the difference between literary elements and literary techniques, and look at examples and definitions of several popular literary terms. (read full slant rhyme explanation with examples) Ideas, images, characters, and actions are all things that can be juxtaposed with one another. (read full elegy explanation with examples) (read full figure of speech explanation with examples) Connotation is the array of emotions and ideas suggested by a word in addition to its dictionary definition. (read full sestet explanation with examples) (read more), A narrative is an accountof connected events. A stanza is a group of lines form a smaller unit within a poem. A literary technique that involves interruption of the chronological sequence of events by interjection of events or scenes of earlier occurrence : flashback anaphora | see definition Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. witty language used to convey insults or scorn. John F. Kennedy's words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you Antimetabole is a figure of speech in which a phrase is repeated, but with the order of words reversed. (read more), The protagonist of a story is its main character, who has the sympathy and support of the audience. Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different fromand often opposite towhat they actually mean. Aristotle coined the term catharsiswhich comes from the If this seems like a loose definition, don't worryit is. (read more), An epigraph is a short quotation, phrase, or poemthat is placed at the beginning of another piece of writing to encapsulate thatwork's main themes and to set the tone. (read full consonance explanation with examples) (read full metonymy explanation with examples) For example, the poet John Donne uses enjambment in his poem "The Good-Morrow" when he continues the opening sentence across the line Anaphora is a figure of speech in which words repeat at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. Ethos is an argument that appeals to the audience by emphasizing the Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective Euphony is thecombiningof words that sound pleasanttogether or are easy to pronounce, usually because they contain lots ofconsonants with soft or muffledsounds (like L, M, N, and R)instead of consonants with harsh, percussive sounds (like Euphony is thecombiningof words that sound pleasanttogether or are easy to pronounce, usually because they contain lots ofconsonants with soft Exposition is the description or explanation of background information within a work of literature. Writers, both professional and casual, regularly use literary devices.