Language Devices

1. Simile: It is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things
using the words “like” or “as”.
Examples- During the house fire, my father was as brave as a lion.
My best friend sings like an angel.
He is as sly as fox.
He ran as if bloodhounds were after him.
She is as pretty as a butterfly.

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech that makes an indirect comparison between two things that are
unrelated but which share some common characteristics.
Examples- The classroom was a zoo.
The alligator’s teeth are white daggers.
He is a night owl.
He’s a couch potato.
He’s a cheetah in the race track.
She’s a cunning fox.

3. Personification: It is a figure of speech in which a thing—an idea or an animal—is given human attributes.
Examples- The wind whispered through dry grass.
The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.
The fire swallowed the entire forest.
The sun was smiling at me.
The clouds were weeping.
The door was stubborn—it wouldn’t open even after I kicked it.

4. Exaggeration/Hyperbole: It is a statement that makes something worse or better than it really is.
Examples- The bicycle is a thousand years old.
He snores louder than a cargo train.
I am so hungry! I could eat a horse.
I was so thirsty I could’ve drunk the whole river.
It seemed like I hadn’t slept for years.
I met her after a billion years.
I touched my books after a thousand years!

5. Rule of 3: The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of events, characters or ideas is
more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.
Examples- After the long day, he was cold, tired and hungry.
The old man was healthy, wealthy and wise.
I ran, I tripped and I fell.
The scones were crumbly, sweet and succulent.
 6. Rhetorical questions: A question asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed,
when no real answer is expected.

Example: Are you serious?

Are you kidding me right now?
She’s very kind, isn’t she?
They’re not very nice, are they?

7. Alliteration: It is characterized by a number of words that have the same first consonant sound within the
same sentence of phrase.

Example- Betty bought some butter.

She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
She stood by the serene sea and sighed.
The constant cacophony of cats caused a catastrophe.
The cat clawed the carpet.

8. Paradox: It is the juxtaposition of a set of seemingly contradictory concepts that reveal a hidden and/or
unexpected truth. 
Examples- An enemy of my enemy is my friend.
What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.
I am nobody.

9. Oxymoron: This is a figure of speech in which two seemingly opposing and contradictory words/ phrases
are juxtaposed.
Examples- Open secret.
Wise fool.
Clearly confused.

10. Cliff hanger: This is a plot device in which a character or characters are left with a difficult dilemma or a
shocking revelation at the end of a chapter or section.

11. Pathetic Fallacy: It refers to giving human emotions and actions to animals, plants, and other parts of
nature. It is a form of personification that is often used to describe the environment. The weather and
season can be described with human emotions to reflect the mood of a character or create a tone.

Examples- The raindrops wept around him.

A friendly sun shone down brightly on the party guests as they arrived in the garden.
The weather is miserable outside.

12. Foreshadow: It is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the
story.

13. Allusion: A literary device used to reference another object outside of the work of literature. The object
can be a real or fictional person, event, quote, or other work of artistic expression.
 Examples- Don't act like a Romeo in front of her.
The rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's Box of crimes.

14. Imagery: It 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 add symbolism to the work. Imagery draws on the five senses,
namely the details of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
Examples- The familiar tang of his grandmother's cranberry sauce reminded him of his youth.
The sunset was the most gorgeous they'd ever seen; the clouds were edged with pink and
gold.
The tree bark was rough against her skin.

15. Juxtaposition: This device is to place two concepts, characters, ideas, or places near or next to each other
so that the reader will compare and contrast them. 

16. Anecdote: This is a very short story that is usually interesting or amusing, and concerns real people and real
incidents.

17. Anaphora: A literary and rhetorical device in which a word or group of words is repeated at the beginning
of two or more successive clauses or sentences.

18. Jargon: A literary term that is defined as the use of specific phrases and words in a particular situation,
profession, or trade.

19. Verbal Irony: It is a form of irony in which someone says or writes something that is in opposition to the
person’s true meaning. 

20. Onomatopoeia: A word which imitates the natural sounds of a thing. It creates a sound effect that mimics
the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting.