Examples of literary devices – Flashcards
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Hyperbole The use of hyperbole can: Emphasise for amusing effect. Make ordinary human feelings sound extraordinary Catch the reader's attention
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My grandmother is as old as the hills. Your suitcase weighs a ton! She is as heavy as an elephant! I am dying of shame. I am trying to solve a million issues these days. Device? What effect can this create?
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Hyperbole The use of hyperbole can: Emphasise for amusing effect. Make ordinary human feelings sound extraordinary Catch the reader's attention
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"He cried all night, and dawn found him still there, though his tears had dried and only hard, dry sobs shook his wooden frame. But these were so loud that they could be heard by the faraway hills..." Paul Bunyan Device? What effect can this create?
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Hyperbole The use of hyperbole can: Emphasise for amusing effect. Make ordinary human feelings sound extraordinary Catch the reader's attention
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"Well now, one winter it was so cold that all the geese flew backward and all the fish moved south and even the snow turned blue. Late at night, it got so frigid that all spoken words froze solid afore they could be heard. People had to wait until sunup to find out what folks were talking about the night before." "The Adventures of Pinocchio" written by C. Colloid Device? What effect can this create?
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Foreshadowing The use of foreshadowing can: Build anticipation in the minds of readers about what might happen next. Add tension to a story. Create suspense in mystery novels. Give false clues or "red herrings" to distract readers. Mentally prepare readers for future events that are extraordinary or bizarre.
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In 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck, George kills Candy's dog. This happens before Candy kills Lennie. The nature of the death of the dog was the same as Lennie's death, as both were shot in the back of the head. Device? What effect can this create?
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Foreshadowing The use of foreshadowing can: Build anticipation in the minds of readers about what might happen next. Add tension to a story. Create suspense in mystery novels. Give false clues or "red herrings" to distract readers. Mentally prepare readers for future events that are extraordinary or bizarre.
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In the "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown the character of "Bishop Aringarosa" is shown to act in such a suspicious way that readers suspect him to be the mastermind of the whole conspiracy in the church. Later it is revealed that he is innocent and not involved at all. Device? What effect can this create?
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Rhyme The use of rhyme can: give poetry some 'order' that differentiates poetry from prose. make poetry pleasurable as the repetitive patterns provides some rhythm.
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"Twinkle, twinkle little star How I wonder what you are" Device? What effect can this create?
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Rhyme The use of rhyme can: give poetry some 'order' that differentiates poetry from prose. make poetry pleasurable as the repetitive patterns provides some rhythm.
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"Just turn me loose let me straddle my old saddle, Underneath the western skies" Nickel Creek lyrics Device? What effect can this create?
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Rhyme The use of rhyme can: give poetry some 'order' that differentiates poetry from prose. make poetry pleasurable as the repetitive patterns provides some rhythm.
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"Had I but lived a hundred years ago I might have gone, as I have gone this year, By Warmwell Cross on to a Cove I know, And Time have placed his finger on me there" At Lulworth Cove a Century Back BY Thomas Hardy Device? What effect can this create?
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Personification Personification can: Give deeper meanings to literary texts. Bring inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are understood in a better way.
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The wind whispered through dry grass. The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. Time and tide waits for none. The fire swallowed the entire forest. Device? What effect can this create?
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Personification Personification can: Give deeper meanings to literary texts. Bring inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are understood in a better way.
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"It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it." "How Pearl Button Was Kidnapped" by Katherine Mansfield Device? What effect can this create?
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Personification Personification can: Give deeper meanings to literary texts. Bring inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are understood in a better way.
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"When well-appareled April on the heel Of limping winter treads." Act I, Scene II of "Romeo and Juliet" Device? What effect can this create?
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Plot The plot: Focus attention on the important characters and their roles in the story. Connects characters to the events of the text in an orderly manner. Absorb readers and encourage them to keep on reading as they want to know what happens next. Allows the reader to connect with the book. Is what the reader remembers and is able to recall later. Enables the reader to understand the message being conveyed by the author.
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The story begins when Lizzie's sister, Jane, falls in love with Darcy's friend named Mr. Bingley. Lizzie develops and interest in for Mr. Wickham, who accuses Darcy of destroying him financially. When Lizzie goes to meet her friend, she runs into Mr. Darcy, who proposes and Lizzie rejects. She then writes him a letter telling him why she dislikes him. He writes back, clearing up all misunderstandings and accusations. Jane runs away with Mr. Wickham and Lizzie realizes that Mr. Darcy is not as bad a man as she thought him to be. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Device? What is the purpose of this device?
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Theme Themes can give readers an insight into how the writer views human life or the world. They can be: Recognised through implicit (not obvious) information by analysing the characters, plot and other literary devices used. Expressed through the thoughts and feelings of the main characters Conveyed through the actions and events taking place Confused with the subject. For example the subject of a book may be of war but the theme is that war is a curse for humanity.
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Love and friendship is explored in: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Device? What effect can this create?
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Theme Themes can give readers an insight into how the writer views human life or the world. They can be: Recognised through implicit (not obvious) information by analysing the characters, plot and other literary devices used. Expressed through the thoughts and feelings of the main characters Conveyed through the actions and events taking place Confused with the subject. For example the subject of a book may be of war but the theme is that war is a curse for humanity.
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War is explored in: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell A Band of Brothers: Stories from Vietnam by Walter McDonald Device? What effect can this create?
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Theme Themes can give readers an insight into how the writer views human life or the world. They can be: Recognised through implicit (not obvious) information by analysing the characters, plot and other literary devices used. Expressed through the thoughts and feelings of the main characters Conveyed through the actions and events taking place Confused with the subject. For example the subject of a book may be of war but the theme is that war is a curse for humanity.
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Crime and mystery is explored in: Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Bleak House by Charles Dickens Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Device? What effect can this create?
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Theme Themes can give readers an insight into how the writer views human life or the world. They can be: Recognised through implicit (not obvious) information by analysing the characters, plot and other literary devices used. Expressed through the thoughts and feelings of the main characters Conveyed through the actions and events taking place Confused with the subject. For example the subject of a book may be of war but the theme is that war is a curse for humanity.
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Revenge is explored in: Hamlet and Macbeth by William Shakespeare The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson A Time to Kill by John Grisham Device? What effect can this create?
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First-person point of view. It: Is mostly used in autobiographical works. Allows one character to tell or narrate the story with 'I', 'me', 'my', 'we'. Enables the reader to hear the thoughts of the narrator and see the world through his or her eyes. allows the reader to feel like he/she is hearing the directly from the characters.
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"I could picture it. I have a habit of imagining the conversations between my friends. We went out to the Cafe Napolitain to have an aperitif and watch the evening crowd on the Boulevard." The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway Which Point of View? What type of text is it mostly used in? Why is it employed?
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Second Person point of view can is quite rare. It: Makes the reader feel more involved in the story by talking directly to them using the pronoun 'you' and 'your'.. Can be used in letters, emails.
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"You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy." Bright Lights, Big City by Jay Mclnemey: Which Point of View? Why is it employed?
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Third Person point of view is most common in literature and can allow the reader to: Be an outsider looking in, and watch events unfold. View the thoughts of every character (third person omniscient). View only the thoughts of one character (third person limited).
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"When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister how very much she admired him." Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Which point of view? Why is it employed?
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A a serene and non-violent mood is created. The mood is created through the idyllic setting. Setting (the physical location in a piece of literature that events take place) can: Provide the background in which the events occur. Provide some context for the mood that the writer wishes to communicate.
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"The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on." "Pickwick Papers" by Charles Dickens What type of mood is created? Is the mood created through the setting, tone or word choice?
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A gloomy mood is created. The mood is created through the tone. Frost informs us about his past with a "sigh" that gives the lines above an unhappy tone and thus evokes an unhappy mood. An unhappy mood is created because the poet convinces us into thinking that he regrets a choice he made in the past.
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"I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost What type of mood is created? Is the mood created through the setting, tone or word choice?
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A mood of disgust is created. The mood is created through diction or word choice. The writer chose words that are unmelodious, harsh and jarring which links with the mood of war being cruel.
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"And being no stranger to the art of war, I have him a description of cannons, culverins, muskets, carabines, pistols, bullets, powder, swords, bayonets, battles, sieges, retreats, attacks, undermines, countermines, bombardments, sea-fights..." What type of mood is created? Is the mood created through the setting, tone or word choice?
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Visual Imagery The words "dark" and "dim" are visual images. Imagery is associated with mental pictures. It can: Help the reader to visualise more realistically the author's writings. Be created with the use of metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc.
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It was dark and dim in the forest. Imagery - Which sense does this appeal too? Which words are examples of imagery?
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Sense of Hearing "Screaming" and "shouting" appeal to our sense of hearing. Imagery is associated with mental pictures. It can: Help the reader to visualise more realistically the author's writings. Be created with the use of metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc.
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The children were screaming and shouting in the fields. Imagery - Which sense does this appeal too? Which words are examples of imagery?
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Sense of Smell "whiff" and "aroma" evoke our sense of smell. Imagery is associated with mental pictures. It can: Help the reader to visualise more realistically the author's writings. Be created with the use of metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc.
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He whiffed the aroma of brewed coffee. Imagery - Which sense does this appeal too? Which words are examples of imagery?
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Sense of Touch The idea of "soft" in this example appeals to our sense of touch. Imagery is associated with mental pictures. It can: Help the reader to visualise more realistically the author's writings. Be created with the use of metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc.
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The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric. Imagery - Which sense does this appeal too? Which words are examples of imagery?
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Sense of Taste "juicy" and "sweet" when associated with oranges have an effect on our sense of taste. Imagery is associated with mental pictures. It can: Help the reader to visualise more realistically the author's writings. Be created with the use of metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc.
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The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet. Imagery - Which sense does this appeal too? Which words are examples of imagery?
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The purpose of satire : Is to ridicule or criticize those aspects of society, which the writer considers a threat to civilisation. Is not to make others laugh at the persons or ideas they make fun of, but rather them to change their opinions.
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Orwell used this example to show that the men who came to power after the Russian Revolution were no more "equal" to the common people than the Tsars before them. He replaces the Russian people with animals on a farm, with the leading figures of communism represented by pigs. At first these pigs are supportive of equal rights for all animals, but gradually they give themselves all the benefits and exclude the other animals from the rewards of the farm. The men who were expelled at the beginning of the story represent the Tsars; by the end of the story, however, men are back on the farm and the animals outside cannot tell the difference between the pigs and the men. Device? What effect can this create?
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The purpose of satire : Is to ridicule or criticize those aspects of society, which the writer considers a threat to civilisation. Is not to make others laugh at the persons or ideas they make fun of, but rather them to change their opinions.
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The Onion is a fake news source that uses contemporary issues and highlights their absurdity. Some of the most popular headlines they've published include: "Bush: 'Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace and Prosperity Is Finally Over,'" "Supreme Court Rules Supreme Court Rules," and "Clinton Deploys Vowels to Bosnia; Cities of Sjlbvdnzv, Grzny to Be First Recipients." Device? What effect can this create?
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Metaphor Implies he was too angry. Metaphors can: Aid the reader in understanding what is being communicated by the writer. appeal to the senses Create imagery Sharpen our imaginations
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My brother was boiling mad. Literary Device? What is being implied?
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Metaphor Implies that the assignment was not difficult. Metaphors can: Aid the reader in understanding what is being communicated by the writer. appeal to the senses Create imagery Sharpen our imaginations
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The assignment was a breeze. Literary Device? What is being implied?
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Metaphor Implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships. Metaphors can: Aid the reader in understanding what is being communicated by the writer. appeal to the senses Create imagery Sharpen our imaginations
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It is going to be clear skies from now on. Literary Device? What is being implied?
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Metaphor Implies that the coming times are going to be hard for him. Metaphors can: Aid the reader in understanding what is being communicated by the writer. appeal to the senses Create imagery Sharpen our imaginations
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The skies of his future began to darken. Literary Device? What is being implied?
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Metaphor Implies that her voice makes him feel happy. Metaphors can: Aid the reader in understanding what is being communicated by the writer. appeal to the senses Create imagery Sharpen our imaginations
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Her voice is music to his ears. Literary Device? What is being implied?
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Irony is when words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Irony can: Add meaning to a situation. Develop the readers' interest. Make a work more intriguing Force the readers to use their imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. As real life is full of ironical expressions and situations, the use of irony brings a work of literature closer to the life.
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I posted a video on YouTube about how boring and useless YouTube is. Device? What effect can this create?
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Irony is when words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Irony can: Add meaning to a situation. Develop the readers' interest. Make a work more intriguing Force the readers to use their imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. As real life is full of ironical expressions and situations, the use of irony brings a work of literature closer to the life.
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The name of Britain's biggest dog was "Tiny". Device? What effect can this create?
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Irony is when words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Irony can: Add meaning to a situation. Develop the readers' interest. Make a work more intriguing Force the readers to use their imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. As real life is full of ironical expressions and situations, the use of irony brings a work of literature closer to the life.
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"Oh great! Now you have broken my new camera." Device? What effect can this create?
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Irony is when words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Irony can: Add meaning to a situation. Develop the readers' interest. Make a work more intriguing Force the readers to use their imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. As real life is full of ironical expressions and situations, the use of irony brings a work of literature closer to the life.
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"Go ask his name: if he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed." William Shakespeare Device? What effect can this create?
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Simile Soldiers and lions. Our solders are will continue on even when the situation appears merciless. A Simile is an explicit comparison between two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually "like" or "as." Similes can: Attract attention and appeal directly to the senses of the reader. Encourage the imagination of the reader to understand what is being communicated. Make it easier for the readers to understand the subject matter of a literary text.
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Our soldiers are as brave as lions. Literary Device? What is being compared? What effect is achieved/what is being implied?
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Simile The woman's frail soul - small bird beating itself against the wires of a cage. The helplessness of a situation over which she has no control is implied through the birds flapping against the cage, to no effect . A Simile is an explicit comparison between two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually "like" or "as." Similes can: Attract attention and appeal directly to the senses of the reader. Encourage the imagination of the reader to understand what is being communicated. Make it easier for the readers to understand the subject matter of a literary text.
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"I would have given anything for the power to soothe her frail soul, tormenting itself in its invincible ignorance like a small bird beating about the cruel wires of a cage." Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad Literary Device? What is being compared? What effect is achieved/what is being implied?
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Simile The tilt of the old ladies walking canes - Tower of Pisa. A mass of elderly people, standing steady and yet precariously creates a humorous effect. A Simile is an explicit comparison between two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually "like" or "as." Similes can Attract attention and appeal directly to the senses of the reader. Encourage the imagination of the reader to understand what is being communicated. Make it easier for the readers to understand the subject matter of a literary text.
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"Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed toward me like towers of Pisa." Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, Literary Device? What is being compared? What effect is achieved/what is being implied?
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Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia can: Help the reader to hear the sounds the words they reflect. Create emphasis. Help the reader to enter the world created by the writer. Have an effect the readers' senses
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Buzz Splash Thump Rustling Meow Device? What effect can this create?
