Literary Devices Definition Example

Metaphor A figure of speech in “The Apple of my Eye”

which a word or phrase
is applied to an object
or action to which it is
not literally applicable.
Simile A figure of speech “As tall as a giraffe”
involving the
comparison of one
thing with another
thing of a different
kind, used to make a
description more
emphatic or vivid.
Imagery The use of pictures or “The sight of the
words to create mental buildings is drowning,
images. by how high their
heights are and how
bright their wide
windows make them.”
Symbolism The use of symbols to White represents
represent ideas or purity, honesty, peace
qualities.
Hyperbole Exaggerated “I’m starving, I could eat
statements. a lion.”

Personification The act of giving a “The leaf dances down

human quality or from the tree as the kid
characteristic to catches it.”
something that is not
human.
Irony The use of words to It is a rainy day, but you
express something said, “How lovely today
other than and is!”
 especially the opposite
of the literal meaning.
Juxtaposition When you place two “An orange is not eaten
concepts or objects or peeled in a way
next to each other to similar to an apple.”
compare or contrast
their differences.
Onomatopoeia Vocal imitation of the “Bang! Bang! Bang!”
sound associated with
it.
Flashbacks A scene in a movie, A man is about to get
novel; set in a time struck by a truck. As he
earlier than the main stares at the coming
story. truck, he remembers his
fun memories with his
dear friends and family.
Foreshadowing A warning or an When a character
indication of a future mentions offhandedly
event. that bad things happens
to them during winter.