LITERARY DEVICES

COMMUNICATION STUDIES
12 A
TEACHER: MR MALIK EWAN
Allegory

Allegory is a literary device used for expressing complex ideas in an approachable and
understandable manner. In simple terms, allegory is a work of art, maybe a painting or a story in
which the characters, events or images will act as symbols.The writers often use allegory to
illustrate a historical situation, political situation or spiritual truth.
Allusion

The allusion is another popular literary device the writers used to reference any object outside of
the literature work. The object of reference can be a fictional or a real person, quote, event or any
piece of work that contains artistic expressions. You can use allusions to build characters or
storylines by creating strong bonding with well-known works.
Alliteration

Alliteration is a literary device that reflects the repetition of same consonant sounds at the
beginning of words. This technique creates a rhythm and grabs the attention of the readers to the
lines. More commonly, in poems, alliteration refers to the repeated sound of the consonant in the
stressed syllable of a line.
Mentioned below are a few examples of alliteration
 Money Matters
 Picture Perfect
 Bugs Bunny
 Donald Duck

Foreshadowing

Another popular literary device used by novel writers and screenwriters to narrate a story is
foreshadowing. It is a technique that gives a hint to the readers about something that is to appear
later in the story. By using foreshadowing effectively, you can create suspense and tension for
the readers.

Time, colors, weather, character reactions, dialogues, the place are some common elements the
writers use while foreshadowing. 
Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a literary device and a figure of speech used predominantly by writers to elevate the
content with exaggeration. It is often used for creating ironic, comic or serious effects in
literature work. In order to make the readers believe your ideas, you can use hyperbole in your
piece of writing.
 Some examples of hyperbole include
 I’m the King of the world- Titanic Movie
 Red Bull gives you wings – Red Bull advertisement
 I’m so tired that I could sleep for a week.

Imagery

The imagery focuses on the use of figurative language to induce a sensory experience. It is a
literary device that helps to create a picture with words for a reader. The writers more commonly
use figurative language and descriptive language to appeal to the reader’s senses, feelings and
emotions along with visual representations.
Here are some examples of imagery in everyday speech.
 The kitten’s fur is milky.
 The light under the door looked buttery.
 My head is pounding like a drum.

Irony

A contradictory situation or a statement that reveals a reality that is different from the
expectation is called irony.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that creates a comparison between two unlike things is called a metaphor.
When used as a literary device, a metaphor creates a comparison without using “like” or “as”.
Find below a few examples of metaphors.
 His heart of stone surprised me.
 Time  is money.
 Love is a battlefield.
 You sit on a throne of lies.

Personification

Personification is a literary device that refers to nonhuman things with human characteristics. It
is a form of metaphor that gives human attributes to an idea or thing. Writers use personification
to create life.
Here are a few examples of personification.
 My phone is not cooperating with me today.
 The wind is whispering.
 Time waits for no one

Simile

Like a metaphor, a simile is also an effective figure of speech in which two dissimilar objects are
compared together with the use of “as” or “like”. The simile explicitly creates a comparison
between two different things.
 Here are a few examples of similes.
 That poem is like a punch in the gut.
 Love is like a friendship caught on fire.

 Oxymoron

Pairing two contradictory words together is called an oxymoron.

Mentioned below are a few examples of oxymoron.
 She ate the whole piece of the pie.
 The carpenters left the table completely unfinished.
 I had a friendly fight with my sister.

Paradox

Paradox is a statement that appears to be contradictory in the first, but it makes sense upon
reflection. In simple terms, a paradox is made up of contradictory sentences or phrases.
Here are a few examples of paradoxes.
 Change is the only constant
 It is the beginning of the end

 Repetition

Repetition is a literary device that focuses on the intentional use of a word or a phrase multiple
times in a speech or a piece of writing in order to create an effect. In order to make a repetition
identifiable, the words or phrases should be repeated within a close limit. Repetition allows a
sense of sound in your literary work and creates emphasis.
Mentioned below are a few examples of repetition.
 Hour to hour
 All for one and one for all
 James Bond– All James Bond Movies
 Stupid is as stupid does- Movie line from Forrest Grump
 Words, words, words– Hamlet

Symbolism

The use of symbols in literary work is called symbolism. It usually represents something that is
beyond the literal meaning. In literature, the writers use symbols in the form of a word, character,
object, action or concept to evoke additional meaning and build a sensory experience.
Here are a few examples of Symbolism.
 Symbols that represent love- Red rose and heart
 In the movie Godfather, doors symbolize separation and transition
 In the movie Forrest Grump, feathers symbolize the beginnings and endings.
Anecdote

Anecdote is defined as a short and interesting story, or an amusing event, often proposed to

support or demonstrate some point, and to make the audience laugh. Anecdotes can include an
extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short description or an account of any event
that makes the readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose.

Analogy

An analogy is a figure of speech that creates a comparison by showing how two seemingly

different entities are alike, along with illustrating a larger point due to their commonalities. As a
literary device, the purpose of analogy is not just to make a comparison, but to provide an
explanation as well with additional information or context. 

Evidence

Evidence is a type of literary device that appears in different categories of essays and theses, in
the form of paraphrase and quotations. It is presented to persuade readers, and used with
powerful arguments in the texts or essays. It is factual information that helps the reader reach
a conclusion and form an opinion about something. Evidence is given in research work, or is
quoted in essays and thesis statements, but is paraphrased by the writer. 

Sarcasm

Sarcasm generally takes the form of an ironic remark, somewhat rooted in humor, that is
intended to mock or satirize something. When a speaker is being sarcastic, they are saying
something different than what they actually mean. As a literary device, sarcasm can convey a
writer and/or character’s true feelings of frustration, anger, and even derision, though veiled by
the presence of humor and wording that is inconsistent with what is intended.

Here are some common examples of sarcasm that you might hear in everyday speech:

 Zombies eat brains. You’re safe.

 Ugliness can be fixed, stupidity is forever.
 You are depriving some village of their idiot.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a literary device that implies comparison or contrast. Writers create juxtaposition

by placing two entities side by side to create dramatic or ironic contrast. Juxtaposition is a form
of implied comparison in that there is no overt comparison or inference on the part of the writer.
This allows the reader to discern how the paired entities are similar or different. 

Notes are adopted from: Literary Devices and Literary Terms - The Complete List and 2 new
messages (assignmenthelppro.com)