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Literacy Devices
Allegory
Definition:
An allegory is a symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed
with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example
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Example:
Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief and
steadfastness will see you to the very top
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Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the
alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence
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Alliterations are used to add character to the
writing and often add an element of ‘fun’ to the piece
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(The ‘W’ sound is highlighted and repeated
throughout the sentence
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It is up to the reader to make a connection to the
subject being mentioned
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In the example the author uses the mention of Mother Teresa to indicate the sort of qualities that Mary
has
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When a plain sentence is too
abrupt and fails to convey the full implications desired, amplification comes into play when the writer
adds more to the structure to give it more meaning
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After amplification- The thesis paper was difficult: it
required extensive research, data collection, sample surveys, interviews and a lot of fieldwork
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From the syllables of a phrase to the individual letters of a word, any
fraction can be jumbled to create a new form
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Example:
An anagram for "debit card" is "bad credit"
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By
mixing the letters a bit of humor is created
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By using an analogy we can convey a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one
as a basis for understanding
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Example:
In the same way as one cannot have the rainbow without the rain, one cannot achieve success and
riches without hard work
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In standard parlance and writing the adjective comes before the noun but when one is
employing an anastrophe the noun is followed by the adjective
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Example:
He spoke of times past and future, and dreamt of things to be
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ik
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The story is usually a reminiscence from the teller's life but at
best is a related story of fact, as opposed to a contrived work of fiction
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D
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In his court, Justinian had a historian named Procopius who was a gifted writer who wrote
many witty, amusing and somewhat bawdy accounts of court life
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After his secret writings did indeed become public and published, the term anecdote became
commonly used for similar accounts
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Teachers and educators often tell classrooms of pupils
anecdotes about famous people
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Here is an example of an anecdote about Winston Churchill:
Winston Churchill was very fond of his pet dog Rufus
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When enjoying movies, Rufus had the best seat in
the house; on Winston Churchill's lap
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Churchill is believed to have
said to Rufus: “don't look now, dear
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”

Anthropomorphism

Definition:
Anthropomorphism can be understood to be the act of lending a human quality, emotion or ambition
to a non-human object or being
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Example:
The raging storm brought with it howling winds and fierce lightning as the residents of the village
looked up at the angry skies in alarm
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Whether they are words or phrases of the same sentence, an antithesis is
used to create a stark contrast using two divergent elements that come together to create one uniform
whole
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The
purpose of using an antithesis in literature is to create a balance between opposite qualities and lend a
greater insight into the subject
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Aphorism

Definition:
An aphorism is a concise statement that is made in a matter of fact tone to state a principle or an
opinion that is generally understood to be a universal truth
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It is to be noted that aphorisms are usually witty
and curt and often have an underlying tone of authority to them
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Archetype

Definition:
An archetype is a reference to a concept, a person or an object that has served as a prototype of its
kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again
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Archetypes are immediately identifiable and even though they run the risk of being overused, they are
still the best examples of their kind
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Assonance

Definition:
Assonance refers to repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase
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What sets it apart from alliterations is
that it is the repetition of only vowel sounds
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Example:
“A long song”
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Asyndeton as a literary tool
helps in shortening up the implied meaning of the entire phrase and presenting it in a succinct form
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Use of this literary device helps in creating a strong impact and
such sentences have greater recall worth since the idea is presented in a nutshell
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Read, Write, Learn
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Watch, Absorb, Understand
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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Authorial Intrusion establishes a one to
one relationship between the writer and the reader where the latter is no longer a secondary player or
an indirect audience to the progress of the story but is the main subject of the author’s attention
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This technique was often used to reveal some crucial
elements of the story to the reader even though the protagonist might remain mystified within the
story for the time being
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This term
refers to the practice of basing a plot happening or event and anticipating the results it will have on a
faction of the Bible
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In an overall context, not limited to just
literature, bibliomancy refers to foretelling the future by turning to random portions of the Bible for
guidance
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Bildungsroman

Definition:
This is a very popular form of storytelling whereby the author bases the plot on the overall growth of
the central character throughout the timeline of the story
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It has often been seen that the protagonist begins with views,
aims and dreams that are in contrast to the other character’s in the story and then fights his or her
way through to achieve them
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Cacophony
Definition:

A cacophony in literature refers to the use of words and phrases that imply strong, harsh sounds
within the phrase
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Example:
His fingers rapped and pounded the door, and his foot thumped against the yellowing wood
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The purpose of using a
caesura is to create a dramatic pause, which has a strong impact
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Example:
Mozart- oh how your music makes me soar!

Characterization

Definition:
Characterization in literature refers the step by step process wherein an author introduces and then
describes a character
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Example:
Michael Corleone was not jus' a mafiaso, but a family man
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Chiasmus

Definition:
Chiasmus is a figure of speech containing two phrases that are parallel but inverted to each other
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Circumlocution
Definition:
Circumlocution is a form of writing where the writer uses exaggeratedly long and complex sentences
in order to convey a meaning that could have otherwise been conveyed through a shorter, much
simpler sentence
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Example:
Instead of writing “At 8 pm he arrived by car for the dinner party
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Conflict
Definition:
It is a literary device used for expressing a resistance the protagonist of the story finds in achieving his
aims or dreams
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It can occur when the subject is battling his inner discord, at odds with his
surroundings or it may be pitted against others in the story
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Connotation

Definition:
Connotations are the associations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary
definition
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Example:
And once again, the autumn leaves were falling
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Consonance
Definition:

Consonance refers to repetition of sounds in quick succession produced by consonants within a
sentence or phrase
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Consonance is the
opposite of assonance, which implies repetitive usage of vowel sounds
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Denotation

Definition:
Denotation refers to the use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word
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In the above sentence, house is meant literally as in a building where a family lives
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Deus ex Machina

Definition:
Deus ex Machina is a rather debatable and often criticized form of literary device
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The use of Deus ex Machina is not
recommended as it is seen to be the mark of a poor plot that the writer needs to resort to random,
insupportable and unbelievable twists and turns to reach the end of the story
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Diction

Definition:
Diction is the distinctive tone or tenor of an author’s writings
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Diction is usually judged with
reference to the prevailing standards of proper writing and speech and is seen as the mark of quality
of the writing
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Example:
Certain writers in the modern day and age use archaic terms such as ‘thy’, ‘thee’ and ‘wherefore’ to
imbue a Shakespearean mood to their work
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You can tell the difference of
hubris and just regular arrogance or pride by the fact that the character has seemed to allow reality
slip away from them
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This term hubris
used to have a slightly different meaning and was a very negative subject back in ancient Greek
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In writing and literature hubris is generally considered
a “tragic flaw” and it is saved for the protagonist
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Example:
A classic example of hubris is featured in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth
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Obviously murder is highly
frowned upon, so this eventually leads to Macbeth’s demise as well
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It is said that by
using a hyperbaton, words or phrases overstep their conventional placements and result in a more
complex and intriguing sentence structure
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Example:
“Alone he walked on the cold, lonely roads”
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Hyperbole

Definition:
A hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate
and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable
effect
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Such sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is generally not practically/ realistically
possible or plausible but helps emphasize an emotion
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Imagery

Definition:
In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to
create “mental images” for the reader
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The usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes amongst other
literary forms in order to “tickle” and awaken the readers’ sensory perceptions is referred to as
imagery
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Example:
The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of
colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds
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An
internal rhyme is also known as the middle rhyme because it is typically constructed in the middle of a
line to rhyme with the bit at the end of the same metrical line
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Inversion

Definition:
The term ‘inversion’ refers to the practice of changing the conventional placement of words
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In present day literature it is usually used
for the purpose of laying emphasis this literary device is more prevalent in poetry than prose because
it helps to arrange the poem in a manner that catches the attention of the reader not only with its
content but also with its physical appearance; a result of the peculiar structuring
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”

Irony
Definition:
The use of irony in literature refers to playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a
sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning
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The deeper, real layer of significance is revealed not by
the words themselves but the situation and the context in which they are placed
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The sentence on the surface conveys that the
speaker is happy with their luck but actually what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and
dissatisfied with their (bad) luck
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The purpose of juxtaposing two directly or indirectly related entities close together
in literature is to highlight the contrast between the two and compare them
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Example:
In Paradise Lost, Milton has used juxtaposition to draw a parallel between the two protagonists, Satan
and God, who he discusses by placing their traits in comparison with one another to highlight their
differences
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The use of imagery
and indicative, direct and indirect references to substitute the proper, formal name of the subject is
known as kennings
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Example:
Kennings are rare in modern day language
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Rarely talked about, but commonly used in modern day conversations, litotes are
a discreet way of saying something unpleasant without directly using negativity
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Common examples: “I'm not feeling bad,” or “he's definitely not a rocket scientist
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” Litotes were used frequently in Old English
Poetry and Literature, and can be found in the English, Russian, German, Dutch and French languages
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” Perhaps our society is not trying to be humorous or
sarcastic, but kinder?
Sometimes double negatives in literature, music and films create a litote that was not intended; for
instance in the Rolling Stones hit “I Can't Get No Satisfaction,” actually means “I CAN receive
satisfaction
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”
Correctly interpreted, he is saying “there will be many and they will be great or large
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Malapropism is used to convey that the speaker or
character is flustered, bothered, unaware or confused and as a result cannot employ proper diction
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Example:
In the play Much Ado About Nothing, noted playwright William Shakespeare’s character Dogberry says,
"Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons
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"

Metaphor

Definition:
Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices
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In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another
so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits
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The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity
or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser
known element (the first subject)
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This sentence suggests that Henry fought so valiantly and bravely
that he embodied all the personality traits we attribute to the ferocious animal
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Metonymy

Definition:
Metonymy in literature refers to the practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and
instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word
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Example:
When we use the name “Washington D
...
S’ political hot seat by referring to
the political capital of the United States because all the significant political institutions such as the
White House, Supreme Court, the U
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Capitol and many more are located her
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C
...
S
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Mood

Definition:
The literary device ‘mood’ refers to a definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific
emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work
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The final tone achieved thus is instrumental in evoking specific, appropriate responses
from the reader
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Motif

Definition:
The literary device ‘motif’ is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through
the entire body of literature
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Motifs are very noticeable and play a significant role in defining the nature of the story,
the course of events and the very fabric of the literary piece
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Another common motif is the simple, pretty peasant girl or girl from a modest background in
fairytales discovering that she is actually a royal or noble by the end of the tale
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Keats was of the opinion that some
certainties were best left open to imagination and that the element of doubt and ambiguity added
romanticism and specialty to a concept
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Nemesis

Definition:
In literature, the use of a nemesis refers to a situation of poetic justice wherein the positive characters
are rewarded and the negative characters are penalized
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Example:
In the popular book series Harry Potter, the protagonist Harry Potter is the nemesis of the evil Lord
Voldemort
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In other words, it refers to sound words whose pronunciation to the actual sound they
represent
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In literature such words
are useful in creating a stronger mental image
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Oxymoron

Definition:
Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting
concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly
complex manner
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Example:
Sometimes we cherish things of little value
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Paradox
Definition:
A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet,
when placed together hold significant value on several levels
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Example:
High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king
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It is a type of
personification, and is known to occur more by accident and less on purpose
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Periodic Structure

Definition:
In literature, the concept of a periodic structure refers to a particular placement of sentence elements
such as the main clause of the sentence and/or its predicate are purposely held off and placed at the
end instead of at the beginning or their conventional positions
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While
undeniably confusing at first, a periodic structure lends a flair of drama and romanticism to a sentence
and is greatly used in poetry
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Periphrasis

Definition:
The term ‘periphrasis’ refers to the use of excessive language and surplus words to convey a meaning
that could otherwise be conveyed with fewer words and in more direct a manner
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"The origin of this story is
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“It all began one day when…”

Puns
Definition:
Puns are a very popular literary device wherein a word is used in a manner to suggest two or more
possible meanings
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Puns
can also refer to words that suggest meanings of similar-sounding words
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Example:
Santa’s helpers are known as subordinate Clauses
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Rhyme scheme refers to the order in which particular words rhyme
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Example:
Roses are red (a)
Violets are blue (b)
Beautiful they all may be (c)
But I love you (b)
The above is an “a-b-c-b” rhyme scheme
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Rhythm and rhyme together refer to the recurrence of similar
sounds in prose and poetry, creating a musical, gentle effect
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When the water’s boiling
Hear me shout;
Just lift me up
And pour me out”

Satire

Definition:

The use of satire in literature refers to the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character
flaw
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In general, even though satire might be humorous and may
“make fun”, its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of contempt
from the reader
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The scripts
and writing for the show are an excellent example of satire in written form
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It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story
is taking place
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This setting establishes the
background that Harry has a non-magical childhood with other “muggle” people and has no clue about
his special powers or his parents and is raised much like, actually worse than, regular people, till his
11th birthday
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By using similes a greater degree of meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise
simple sentence
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Similes are marked by the use of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’
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Spoonerism

Definition:
Spoonerism refers to the practice of interchanging the first letters of some words in order to create
new words or even to create nonsensical words in order to create a humorous setting
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Example:
The phrase “flesh and blood” being spoken as a character as “blesh and flood” in urgency and
heightened emotion
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It basically refers to one unit or
group of lines, which forms one particular faction in poetry
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Example:
“The greedy paddy cat,
Chased after the mice;
She got so round and fat,
But it tasted so nice”

Stream of consciousness

Definition:
The phrase ‘stream of consciousness’ refers to an uninterrupted and unhindered collection and
occurrence of thoughts and ideas in the conscious mind
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This literary device is
usually used in order to provide a narrative in the form of the character’s thoughts instead of using
dialogue or description
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"Life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent
envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end
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It basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information
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Without suspense, a reader
would lose interest quickly in any story because there is nothing that is making the reader ask, “What’s
going to happen next?” In writing, there has to be a series of events that leads to a climax that
captivates the audience and makes them tense and anxious to know what is going to happen
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You remember when you were a kid and very excited
to watch those Saturday morning shows
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However, you didn’t get to find out
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Same time, same
place
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Symbol

Definition:
A symbol is literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and
is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal
translation alone
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Example:
The phrase “a new dawn” does not talk only about the actual beginning of a new day but also signifies
a new start, a fresh chance to begin and the end of a previous tiring time
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It is
somewhat rhetorical in nature, where the entire object is represented by way of a fraction of it or a
fraction of the object is symbolized by the whole
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Synesthesia
Definition:
While the term synesthesia literally refers to a medical condition wherein one or many of the sensory
modalities become joined to one another, in literature it refers to the depiction of a strong connection,
link or bond between the different senses
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Synesthesia is the conflation of the senses
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If something “seems” like it’s all well and good, but you can’t
quite decide, then it can be said to have Verisimilitude
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A metrical
writing line is known as verse
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Example:
A single line or stanza in a poem would be an example of verse

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