Ms.

Mahinur Akter
Literary Genres and Terms:- ENG 0232-02

Figures of Speech

1) Simile: Simile is a figure of speech that involves comparing two things using the word 'like' or 'as'. (a)
Smooth like silk.
(b) Cold as ice.
(c) Brave as lion.

2) Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that involves making a direct comparison between two
unrelated things. And it doesn't use the word 'like' or 'as'.
(a) His room is a jungle.
(b) Time is a thief.
(c) The earth is a stage.

3) Oxymoron: When two opposite or contradictory words are placed together in a sentence is called
oxymoron.
(a) Controlled chaos.
(b) Kill with kindness.
(c) Honest thief.
4) Paradox: It is a types of Oxymoron, when two opposite or contradictory ideas are placed together in a
sentence is called paradox.
(a) The beginning of the end.
(b) Less is more.
(c) War is peace.
5) Personification: personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to non-human
entities.
(a) City never sleeps.
(b) The sun smiled down on earth.
(c) The stars danced in the night sky.
6) Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. It
involves overstating something beyond the bond of reality.
(a) I have a ton of homework.
(b) My backpack is as heavy as an elephant.
(c) Its hotter than the sun outside.
7) Irony: Irony is a literary device in which the expression of someone's meaning by using language that
normally signifies the opposite.
Example:
(a) The fire station burned down.
(b) The swim coach afraid of water.
(c) A vegetarian’s favorite food is beef.

Types:
a) Verbal.
b) Dramatic.
c) Situational.

Created By
Rafiull Islam Rafi
Ms. Mahinur Akter
Literary Genres and Terms:- ENG 0232-02

8) Verbal Irony: Verbal Irony is a form of irony. It occurs when a speaker says something but means the
opposite.
Types: 1. Sarcasm irony.
2. Understatement irony.
3. Overstatement irony.
4. Socratic irony.
9) Dramatic Irony: Dramatic Irony is a form of irony. It happens when the audience has more information
than the characters in the story.
Types: 1. Preparation.
2. Suspense.
3. Resolution.
10) Situational Irony: Situational Irony is a form of irony. Situational Irony happens when there's a
discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what occurs in a actual situation.
Types: 1. Cosmic irony.
2. Poetic irony.
3. Structural irony.
4. Historical irony.

11) Sarcasm: Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony where someone says something but means the opposite.
Types: 1. 'Wow' I love waiting in long lines.
2. 'Oh great' I missed my attendance.
3. 'Wonderful' you broke my phone.
12) Allegory: An allegory is a narrative or story that has a symbolic meaning beyond the literal explanation.
(a) Animal Farm.
(b) Gulliver's Travels.
13) Classic Allegory: It is a types of allegory, which represent the time of ancient Greek and roman, to teach
morality, ethics and philosophy.
(a) "The Allegory of the Cave"
14) Biblical allegory: Biblical allegory involves using symbolic characters, events, or elements in the Bible to
convey deeper meanings.
(a) City of Destruction.
(b) Celestial city.
(c) The Pilgrim's Progress.
15) Modern Allegory: Modern allegory refers to allegorical works created in recent times. These narratives
convey deeper meanings, often moral, political, or social, through symbolic characters, events, or
settings.
(a) Animal Farm.
(b) Lord of the Rings.
16) Allusion: Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, historical event and political
significance etc.
(a) I’ am Juliet to your Romeo.(Alludes to William Shakespeare)
(b) Then leaf subsides to leaf.(Alludes to "Nothing Gold Can Stay" 1923-- by Robert frost.)
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Created By
Rafiull Islam Rafi
Ms. Mahinur Akter
Literary Genres and Terms:- ENG 0232-02

17) Symbol: Symbol is a literary device or mark used as a conventional representation of an object, function,
or process.
(a) The heart symbolize love.
(b) Dollar symbolize money.
(c) Rainbow is a symbol of hope.
18) Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a vivid
mental picture or sensory experience for the reader.
(a) Visual imagery: "The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange
and pink."
(b) Auditory imagery: "The waves crashed against the shore, their rhythmic roar echoing
along the coastline."

19) Circumlocution: It is a figurative language. It is the use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language to
express an idea. it involves talking around a subject rather than directly addressing it.
(a) Instead of saying "I don't know," he engaged in a lengthy explanation of uncertainty.
(b) The politician employed circumlocution to avoid answering the direct question.
(c) The professor's explanation was filled with unnecessary circumlocution, confusing the
students.

20) Litotes: It is a figure of speech in which a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite. It
involves the use of double negatives or understatement to emphasize an idea or point.--=+ (a) Not bad.
(b) He's not ungrateful. (c)
He's not unkind.
21) Euphemism: It is an indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
It is often used to soften the impact of sensitive or unpleasant information.
(a) Passed away (instead of died).
(b) Let go (instead of fired).
(c) On the streets (instead of homeless).
22) Synecdoche: It is a figure of speech in which, a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice
versa. It involves substituting a part for the whole or the whole for a part.
(a) All hands on deck. (Hands representing sailor)
(b) She bought a new set of wheels. (Wheels representing a car)
(c) He has a new set of eyes on the problem. (Eyes representing people)
23) Metonymy: It is a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another word which
it is closely associated. It involves using a related term to represent a larger concept.
(a) The White house issued a statement. (Referring to the president)
(b) The city voted on new policies. (Referring to the citizens)
(c) The press is eager for a statement. (Referring to journalists or media)

Characters
1) Protagonist: It is a literary term that refers to the main character or central figure in a story, play, movie.
The protagonist is typically the character around whom the plot revolves and whose actions and
decisions drive the storyline forward.
(d) Harry Potter in the “Harry Potter” series
(e) Tony Stark in the “Ironmen” Movie
Created By
Rafiull Islam Rafi
Ms. Mahinur Akter
Literary Genres and Terms:- ENG 0232-02

24) Antagonist: An antagonist is a character, Who do conspiracy against main character in a story. While
the antagonist is often portrayed as the “bad guy,” their role is essential for creating conflict and driving
the plot. Can be good against Anti-hero Protagonist. Time, Parents, Society can play Antagonist role. (a)
The Joker in DC Comics: The iconic villain opposing Batman. (b) Ghosity begum.
25) Deuteragonist: The term deuteragonist refers to a secondary main character in a story. This character
plays a significant role after the protagonist.
(a) Thanos in the “Avengers Endgame”
(b) Benvolio in William Shakespear’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
26) Anti-hero: An antihero is a type of protagonist who doesn’t follow the typical hero’s journey and lacks
the traditional qualities associated with heroes, such as courage, idealism, and unwavering helpfulness.
Like (khol Nayok)
(a) Pushpa in the “Pushpa movie”
27) Foil: A foil is a literary device designed to illustrate or reveal information, traits, values, or motivations of
one character through the comparison and contrast of another character. (a) Harry Potter and Draco
Malfoy (from the “Harry Potter” series) (b) Frist Bancer and Backbancher. (c) Police and Criminal.
28) Confidant: A confidant is a person with whom you can share your feelings, thoughts, and secrets. They
are someone you can fully trust and confide in.
(a) His brother is his closest confidant. (b) Parents of a character.
29) Love-interest: A love interest is a character in a film or story who has a romantic role, often as the main
character’s partner.
(a) Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespear’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
30) Stock Character: Concept of stock characters. These characters are recognizable due to their predictable
characteristics and duties within a story. They frequently represent established features or
preconceptions.

31) Dynamic Character: A dynamic character is one who undergoes substantial internal changes and learn
from their mistakes and grow.
32) Round Character: Round characters are lifelike figures in literature with complex, multifaceted
personalities. They possess depth, dimension, and often undergo personal development over the course
of a story.
33) Flat Character: A flat character is a character with little to no complex emotions, motivations, or
personality. They also don't undergo any kind of change to make them better-rounded.
34) Static Character: A static character remains relatively unchanged throughout a story, showing little or
no internal development. Unlike dynamic characters who undergo significant transformations, static
characters maintain consistent traits and behaviors.
35) Symbolic Character: A symbolic character is one that represents more than their literal role in a story.
These characters embody abstract ideas, themes, or concepts beyond their individual traits.

Poetic Device
36) Poetic devices: Poetic devices refer to the creative tools and techniques that poets use to enhance their
poems. These devices operate on different levels, from the rhythm and syntax of individual lines to
deeper thematic layers. They make poetry engaging, memorable, and meaningful.

Created By
Rafiull Islam Rafi