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Literary Devices

This document defines and provides examples of various literary devices: 1) Rhyme is the repetition of sounds in lines of verse, running from two lines to alternating lines, with examples like "love/dove" and "tender/slender". 2) Other devices include hyperbole which uses overstatement, imagery which appeals to senses, irony which contrasts expressed and implied meanings, metaphor which equates unlike things, and personification which gives human traits to non-human things. 3) Further devices are paradox with seemingly contradictory but true statements, simile which explicitly compares using words like "like", and symbol which suggests another meaning through people, objects, actions or situations.

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Shamini Murally
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239 views4 pages

Literary Devices

This document defines and provides examples of various literary devices: 1) Rhyme is the repetition of sounds in lines of verse, running from two lines to alternating lines, with examples like "love/dove" and "tender/slender". 2) Other devices include hyperbole which uses overstatement, imagery which appeals to senses, irony which contrasts expressed and implied meanings, metaphor which equates unlike things, and personification which gives human traits to non-human things. 3) Further devices are paradox with seemingly contradictory but true statements, simile which explicitly compares using words like "like", and symbol which suggests another meaning through people, objects, actions or situations.

Uploaded by

Shamini Murally
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LITERARY DEVICES

1 9. RHYME
1.1 Repetition of assonance and final consonants at the end of two or more lines of verse.
1.2 Similarity or identity of accented sounds in corresponding positions.
1.3 Can run into two lines ( couplets ) or alternate rhymes.
1.4 Example : love / dove ; tender / slender
2 10. VERSE
2.1 A metrical writing line.
2.2 Refer to any single, lone line of a poetry composition or to a stanza or any part of the poetry.
3 1. HYPERBOLA
3.1 Figurative language using overstatement.
3.2 Purpose : To create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point.
3.3 Helps to emphasize an emotion.
3.4 Example : "He died a thousand deaths."
4 2. IMAGERY
4.1 Appeals to any of our sensations, including sensation of pressure and heat as well as sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.
4.2 Purpose : To contribute to the imagery of a particular piece of work.
4.3 Helps the reader to visualize and therein more realistically experience the author's writings.
4.4 Example : Deep blue sea, tinkling bells and perfumes of Arabia.
5 3. IRONY
5.1 Refers to utterances, descriptions or situations in which the implied attitudes or evaluations are opposed to those literally
expressed.
5.2 Purpose : To suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put forth.
5.3 Example : And Brutus is an honourable man. (means when a man dies before that he can enjoy all the wealth he has amassed
with all his effort.
6 4. METAPHOR
6.1 A kind of figurative language equating one thing with another.
6.2 Asserts the identity, without a connective such as like or a verb such as appears, of terms that are literally imcompatible.
6.3 Purpose : To take an identity or concept that we understand clearly and use it to better understand the lesser-
knowledgement.
6.4 Example : "This novel is garbage" ( a book is equated with discarded and probably inedible food)
7 5. PARADOX
7.1 Applies to a statement that seems absurd or contradictory at first, but which turns out with some truth in it in general .
7.2 Provides astonishing insight.
7.3 Example : High walss make not a palace ; full coffers make not a king.
8 6. PERSONIFICATION
8.1 A kind of figurative language in which an inanimate object, animal or other nonhuman is given human traits.
8.2 Example : The creeping tide ( the tide is imagined as having feet ) and The cruel sea ( the sea is imagined as having moral
qualities ).
9 7. SIMILE
9.1 Items from different classes are explicitly compared by a connective such as like, as or than or by a verb such as appears or
seems.
9.2 Purpose : Better understand the sentiment the author wishes to convey.
9.3 Example : He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.
10 8. SYMBOL
10.1 A person, object, action or situation that charged with meaning, suggests another thing.
10.2 Example : A dark forest may suggest confusion, or perhaps evil.

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