EAE Literary / Stylistic Devices

Terms Definition / Explination

allusion reference to a statement, a place or person or events from: literature, history,
religion, mythology, politics, sports
analogy • helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts
or ideas
• conveys a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for
understanding
• with a mental linkage between the two, one can create comprehension
regarding the new concept in a simple manner.
cliché an expression that has lost its freshness through over-use
dialect a way of speaking which is characteristic of a particular geographical area
diction word choice, the particular words chosen to express an idea
euphemism • is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and
"embarrassing"
• purpose is to substitute unpleasant and severe words with more genteel
ones in order to mask the harshness
flashback • the author depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader, which
have taken place before the present time the narration is following, or
events that have happened before the events that are currently being
unfolded in the story
• is commonly used are past narratives by characters, depictions and
references of dreams and memories
foil • the author creates a character whose primary purpose is to create a contrast
to another character by laying emphasis or drawing attention to the latter’s
traits and characteristics through the former’s obviously contradictory ones
foreshadowing • technique used to give some hint about what is to come
• stimulates interest; prepares for the direction in which the plot will move so
that the ending does not come as a shock
imagery • language that appeals to the senses (touch, taste, sight, sound, smell)
• a mental image or create a picture in the readers mind through description
motif • is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through
the entire body of literature
• the repetition of a specific theme dominating the literary work
EAE Literary / Stylistic Devices

Terms Definition / Explination

satire • the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw or even
society
• is often inclusive of a need or decision of correcting or bettering the
character that is on the receiving end of the satire
• its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of
contempt from the reader
symbol • a concrete object used to represent an abstract idea
symbolism • an object, person, or event that functions as itself, but also stands for
something more than itself
Example: Scales function is to weigh things, but they are also a symbol of
the justice system
tone • the attitude which the author assumes towards a subject
• can portray a variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave, and critical to
witty, wry and humorous
gothic relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings
and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents
point of view the position, physical, mental, or emotional, from which the author views the
material; the perspective from which the story is told

1st PERSON POV: - the narrator is a character in the story.

- the narrative will report only what that character sees,
hears, knows, thinks (e.g., I, we, me, my, us)
2nd PERSON POV: - the narrator brings “you”, the reader, into the story
when telling the story

3rd PERSON POV : (e.g., they, he, she, him, it, the teacher, the children)
a) limited (narrator at second hand):
- the narrator tells only what one character thinks, feels, observes, and
uses third person pronouns
b) omniscient:
- the author is the narrator; the narrative still uses third person
pronouns, but the reader has access to the minds of all characters,
and is able to describe all events
c) objective/dramatic:
- the author relates only what is said and done, without entering the
mind of any character
EAE Literary / Stylistic Devices

• device used by writers whereby the intended meaning of the words used is opposite of their
normal or apparent meaning
• it is often used to mock or convey sarcasm

3 forms of irony

a) verbal irony (irony of words):

- exists when the underlying of the words is different from, usually opposite to, their literal
meaning; a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant

Examples:
< Romeo and Juliet: Romeo’s attempt to establish peace between Mercutio and Tybalt leads to
Mercutio’s death and an escalation of the family war.

< Historical: Surrendering guards at the Bastille still managed to kill 98 citizens.

b) situational irony (irony of situation):

- exists when some of those involved perceive the situation to be different from, often opposite
to, what it actually is

Examples:
< Romeo and Juliet: After Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished, Juliet tells her mother how she wishes
she could go to Romeo that evening. Her mom thinks Juliet wants to find Romeo
and kill him. What she really means is she wants to go to him and enjoy intimate
marital relations.
< Literary: Prometheus says to Zeus, “You are as kind as you are wise.” Zeus thinks it’s a
compliment. Because Prometheus doesn’t think Zeus is wise, it’s actually an
insult.

c) dramatic irony (irony of event):

- exists when the result of an action is different from, and often opposite to, what was intended
- when the audience knows things the characters do not

Examples:
< Romeo and Juliet: We know Juliet has taken a sleeping potion. Everyone else, except Friar Lawrence,
thinks she is dead.
< Romeo and Juliet: We know Juliet has married Romeo. The Capulets and Paris do not.
< Literature: In Horton Hears a Who, we know that Horton really is talking to little people on a
bubble, but everyone else thinks he’s crazy.
EAE Literary / Stylistic Devices

Type Definition/Explanation Examples

alliteration < where words are used in quick The Wicked Witch of the West
succession and begin with went her own way.
letters belonging to the same
sound group (The ‘W’ sound is highlighted and
< involves creating a repetition of repeated throughout the sentence.)
similar sounds in the sentence

hyperbole < specific words and phrases that “I am so tired I cannot walk another
exaggerate and overemphasize inch”
the statement in order to
produce a grander, more
noticeable effect “I’m so sleepy I might fall asleep
< conveys an action or sentiment standing here”.
that is generally NOT
realistically possible or
plausible

inversion < the practice of changing the Away ran the witch and the
conventional placement of monster.
words
< often used in older classical Not until January will I have a
poetry genre holiday.
onomatopoeia < it refers to words whose very Words such as grunt, huff, buzz,
sound is very close to the ouch and snap are words whose
sound they are meant to depict
oxymoron < it allows the author to use "I am busy doing nothing."
contradictory, contrasting
concepts placed together in a "the same difference."
manner that actually ends up
making sense in a strange, and “Jumbo shrimp”
slightly complex manner
EAE Literary / Stylistic Devices

Type Definition/Explanation Examples

periphrasis < the use of excessive language Instead of simply saying
and surplus words to convey a
meaning that could otherwise “I am displeased with your
be conveyed with fewer words behavior”,
and in more direct a manner
< to embellish a sentence, to one can say,
create a grander effect, to beat
around the bush and to draw “the manner in which you have
attention away from the crux of conducted yourself in my presence
the message being conveyed of late has caused me to feel
uncomfortable and has resulted in
my feeling disgruntled and
disappointed with you”.
personification < it refers to the practice of “The raging winds”
attaching human traits and
characteristics with inanimate “The wise owl”
objects, phenomena and
animals. The bark had gone out of his voice"
simile < referring to the practice of He is like a mouse in front of the
drawing parallels or teacher.
(Comparaison
comparisons between two
en français)
unrelated and dissimilar things,
people, beings, places and
concepts
< Similes are marked by the use
of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or
‘like’.
metaphor < one subject is implied to be “Henry was a lion on the
another so as to draw a battlefield”.
comparison between their
similarities and shared traits Henry is like a lion.
< metaphors do NOT use the
words as, such as, like but one The copper sky
could place it in the sentence.