How It Feels To Be Colored Me Literary Devices – Flashcards

simile is an explicit comparision between two unlike things through use of connecting words, usually "like" or "as" ex. strong as an ox

metaphor is a rhetorical figure of speech that compares two subjects WITHOUT the use of "like" or "as." Often confused with simile, which compares two subjects by connecting them with "like" or "as" ex. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

symbolism means to imbue objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or function. Authors use symbolism to tie certain things that may initially seem unimportant to more universal themes. The symbols then represent these grander ideas or qualities. ex. The American Flag. Thirteen red and white stripes on the flag represent the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars are a symbol of the 50 states.

Personification is the projection of characteristics that normally belong only to humans onto inanimate objects, animals, deities, or forces of nature Ex. The sun smiled down on them

Hyperbole is the use of obvious and deliberate exaggeration. Hyperbolic statements are often extravagant and not meant to be taken literally. These statements are used to create a strong impression and add emphasis Ex. If he doesn't call by tonight I will absolutely die.

An idiom is a saying, phrase, or fixed expression in a culture that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning Ex "It costs an arm and a leg. Literary means = it's expensive

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close proximity reach other Ex Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

As a literary device, imagery consists of descriptive language that can function as a way for the reader to better imagine the world of the piece of literature and also draws on the five senses, namely the details of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound Examples Taste: the familiar tang of his grandmother's cranberry sauce reminded him of his youth Sound: the concert was so loud that her ears rang for days afterward Sight: the sunset was the most gorgeous they'd ever seen. The clouds were edged with pink and gold Smell: after eating the curry, his breath reeked of garlic Touch: the tree bark was rough against her skin

As a literary device, irony is a contrast or incongruity between expectations for a situation and what is reality. This can be a difference between the surface meaning of something that is said in the underlying meaning. Ex. In the wonderful wizard of oz, the citizens of the Emerald City assume that Oz is great and all-powerful, yet the man behind the curtain is revealed to be an old man with no special powers.

Onomatopoeia refers to a word that phonetically mimics or resembles the sound of the thing it describes Ex machine noises: honk, beep, vroom, clang, zap, boing Animal noises: cuckoo, whip-or-will, whooping crane, chickadee Impact sounds: boom, crash, whack, thump, bang Voice: shush, giggle, growl, whine, murmur, blurt, whisper, hiss Nature: splash, drop, spray, whoosh, buzz, rustle

A pun is a play on words which usually hinges on a word with more than one meaning or the substitution of a homonym that changes the meaning of the sentence die humorous or rhetorical effect Ex. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Make like a tree and leave. Put that down, it's nacho Cheese

Analogy is a comparison between two things. Analogies function to describe or explain one thing by examining its similarities with another thing Ex. Green::color orchid::flower Scientist::Einstein Musician::Mozart Human::fingernail Tiger::claw

In literature, rhythm is the pattern of stressed and unstressed beats. Good EVening DEAR (iamb) HOW'S it GOing? (trochee) CHECK, PLEASE (Spondee)

Rhyme is a popular literary device in which the repetition of the same or similar sounds occurs in two or more words, usually at the end of lines. Ex. See you later, alligator In a while, crocodile You're a poet and you didn't know it

In literary terms, tragedy is a form of drama in which there is a display of human suffering and often catharsis for the audience. The literary definition of tragedy generally demands that the downfall of the protagonist does not come chiefly from external forces, but instead from the characters own errors and flaws. Ex. Losing out on a promotion due to making a fatal error Breaking off a relationship through a misunderstanding and pride overshadowing the truth A patient dying at the hospital because the doctor is too arrogant to admit he or she made a mistake

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two seemingly opposing and contradictory elements are juxtaposed Controlled chaos Kill with kindness Old news Small giant Jumbo shrimp

Foreshadowing is a literary device in which the author gives clues about events that will happen later in the story Ex. Well if you thought that was bad wait until you hear this

In literature, a flashback is an occurrence in which a character remembers an earlier event that happened before the current point of the story. Ex. We may have flashbacks when we think of someone whom we haven't thought of in a while, and remember some memory that person was a part of. Or we may look at an object and think of when we first got it, or why it is significant.

A euphemism is a polite or mild word or expression used to refer to something embarrassing, taboo, or unpleasant euphemisms are especially common in reference to bodily functions and illegal behavior, and to substitute for cursewords. Ex. In a better place, passed away, meet your maker - to die In the family way, with child, bun in the oven - to be pregnant

And archetype is a reoccurring symbol or motif throughout literature that represents universal patterns of human nature. It can also refer to the original model on which all other things of the same kind are based Ex Adventure: Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo Innocent: Anne Frank, Malala Mussfzai Genius: Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci Jester: Mark Twain, Charlie Chaplin

Hubris is an extreme expression of pride or self-confidence in a character Ex. The wealthy, "society" passengers in the first-class cabin of titanic did not hide their audacity and touted, in denial, that there was no possible way there ship could sink, even after hitting the iceberg, those many of them refused to get into the Dingy lifeboats

An anecdote is a very short story that is usually interesting room using, and concerns real people and real incidents. Anecdotes her off and humorous, but off also often impart a deeper truth. Ex Goethe once wrote a very long letter to one of his friends. In the end he added a postscript explaining, "I'm very sorry for sending you such a long letter but I did not find enough time to write a shorter one."

A nemesis is the principal enemy of the protagonist in a work of literature. I nemesis can also be called in archvillain, arch enemy, or archfoe. Ex. New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, axis and Allies of World War II, Batman and Joker, superman and Lex Luthor