Ms.

Hammond, 2014
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Assignment: Literary Devices Dictionary
Grade 12 English

Over the course of the semester, we will be discussing a variety of literary terms. There is a solid chance that at
least one of these terms will appear on your final exam (which, might I remind you, is worth 30% of your overall
grade). I feel like this is a good reason to NOT throw this booklet away

Your Mission: Show that you understand the following terms by collecting at least 2 examples of each
from materials we read/view in class, materials you read/view independently, or your own brain. These
materials include written (books, magazines, articles), audio (songs), and visual (films, ads, tv shows) texts.

Due Date: December 19
th
(the final day of the final unit before the exam)


Literary Techniques: Develop the plot, characters or theme in a way that shapes the entire text. These
techniques are used to enhance the readers insight or understanding of a text by hooking the reader, or
clarifying the events and/or message present within the text.

Flashback: Returning to an earlier point in time for the purpose of making the present clearer. This commonly
occurs when a character remembers something that happened to him/her in the past.

1 ) At the beginning of the movie Up, we are shown flashbacks of the old mans life with his late wife. This
establishes both the old mans tone, and the viewers mood. It also helps characterize the old man.
2)


3)

Foreshadowing: An advance hint of what is to come later in the story. This commonly occurs at the beginning of
a story or chapter in order to hook the reader or help him/her form expectations.

1 ) At the beginning of The Lottery, it says Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, which
foreshadows the storys ending (one of the characters gets stoned to death).
2)


3)

Irony: When the intended meaning of words is opposite from the actual meaning, or when a situation turns out
opposite to what was expected. Basically, it is a reversal of expectations. There are 3 types of irony verbal,
situational, and dramatic.
Verbal: When the speaker says one thing, but means another (sarcasm).
Situational: The opposite of what is expected to occur actually occurs.
Dramatic: When the reader or audience knows something a character does not.

1) Dramatic: In Romeo and Juliet, the 2 lovers each kill themselves because they believe the other to be dead
(however we, the audience, know that each one is actually alive).
2)


3)

Cliffhanger: A plot device in which an episode or chapter ends abruptly, leaving the characters in a difficult
situation without offering any resolution. This creates suspense, leaving the readers wanting more!

1) At the end of Orange is the New Blacks Season 1, the typically docile main character is shown beating another
inmate. Halfway through the beating, the season ends. The viewer is left wondering: Did she kill her?
2)


3)
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Red Herring: False or irrelevant pieces of info used to divert the readers attention away from the actual or
original issue. It is commonly used in mysteries to mislead characters into drawing the wrong conclusion.

1) In an episode of The Killing, one of the characters discusses the story of Greek icon, Orpheus (which is the
known screen name for shows murderer), leading us to (incorrectly) believe that he is the killer.
2)


3)

Satire: The use of humor, exaggeration, or irony to criticize foolishness and/or corruption of an individual, or
part of society, and correct it. It is commonly used in political cartoons and talk shows.

1) In his essay A Modest Proposal, Swift suggests that the poor Irish (during the potato famine) can ease their
financial woes by selling their children as food for the rich, thereby mocking heartless attitudes towards the poor.
2)


3)

Parody: The use of humor or exaggeration to produce a comedic effect, often making fun of the work it is
parodying. The humor is achieved by imitating and overstressing noticeable features of a text/visual.
Note: Parody and satire are often confused. The difference is that 1) parody directly mimics its subject,
whereas satire does so without direct imitation, and 2) satire is more critical it seeks to change
societys errors, whereas parody only seeks to make fun

1) The song Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus has been parodied many, many ways (Google it) for her ridiculously
scant attire worn and provocative behaviour displayed during an apparent construction procedure.
2)


3)


Diction: Word choice. Diction separates good writing from bad, depending on the words that are chosen. The
words you use should be appropriate to your writing variables (so a sentence like example #1 should never
appear in a cover letter). The words you select should also be precise, accurate and contextually correct.

Parts of Speech: There are 4 key types of words to focus on when constructing your sentences to form the best
impression or understanding in your readers mind.
Adjectives Words that modify nouns
Adverbs Words that modify verbs or adjectives
Verbs Words that represent actions
Nouns People, places, or things

1) The alarmingly (adverb) bodacious (adjective) elephant (noun) chortled (verb) loudly (adjective) on its way to
the lush (adjective), emerald-toned (adjective) jungle (noun) -Note: This is a bit excessive, but you get the point.
2)


3)

Colloquialism: The use of informal words or phrases (including slang). This is commonly used in informal
writing, or writing that aims to portray characters and events realistically. Never use this in formal writing.

1) Whaaaaasssssuuuupppp Dogg?! or Yeah, Bro or LMAO
2)


3)



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Imagery: Uses a large amount of detail to establish the readers mood or enhance his/her understanding of a
text. This type of language uses juicy words to create images in the readers mind, or appeal to his/her senses
(sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).

1) The forest was shrouded in darkness. The twigs crunched and cracked under Annabels feet as she darted
through the trees, her heart pounding and her breath coming out in ragged huffs.
2)


3)


Figurative Language: Consists of a comparison of two things or unusual constructions or combinations of
words. This type of language is used to take the reader beyond the literal meaning of words, in order to enhance
the readers insight or understanding of a text.

Alliteration: When 2 or more words with the same first consonant sound are placed close together. Alliteration
commonly appears in titles, slogans, speeches, and songs.

1) Dirty Dancing (film title) or Dont dream it. Drive it! (Jaguar slogan)
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3)

Assonance: When 2 or more words with the same vowel sound (but different consonant sounds) are placed close
together. Assonance is commonly used in poetry or song lyrics to add rhyme and rhythm.

1) I feel depressed and restless (the short e sound is repeated 4 times)
2)


3)

Allusion: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, political, cultural, or
literary significance. It is not described in any detail rather, the author assumes that the reader possesses
enough knowledge to recognize it, and understand its implication within the modern/current text.

1) He aint no Romeo (implying that he isnt romantic) or In his song, Empire State of Mind, Jay Z rap that
he lives Right next to Deniro (implying that he lives in a wealthy and star-studded neighborhood)
2)


3)

Personification: When an object or idea is given human actions or characteristics.

1) In her song, Halo, Beyonce sings that [Those walls] didnt even put up a fight. Here, she gives the walls
(objects) a human trait (fighting).
2)


3)

Anthropomorphism: When an animal is given human actions or characteristics.

1) In the novel Animal Farm, all the animals are able to speak, and the pigs are able to do everything humans are
able to do (walk, sleep in beds, make business deals, drink whiskey, etc.)
2)


3)


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Euphemism: A polite, indirect expression that replaces words and phrases considered harsh, impolite,
inappropriate, unpleasant, or politically incorrect. They may take the form of abbreviations.

1) Saying a company is downsizing rather than firing people or hes a little thick rather than hes fat
2)


3)

Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration in order to emphasize an ideas importance.

1) Ive been waiting in the car for you FOREVER (when actually my mom was in the store for 15 minutes)
2)


3)

Idiom: A common, often cultural, expression consisting of multiple words. Idioms are not to be read literally, but
rather, figuratively. This can cause great confusion is someone is not familiar with the term.

1) Chip on your shoulder (being upset about something in the past) or A slap on the wrist (light punishment)
2)


3)

Metaphor: An implied comparison, where something is portrayed as being another thing (when it is not really
that thing). For simplicitys sake: a comparison that does not use like or as.

1) He is the black sheep of the family (comparing him to a black sheep amongst many white ones implies that
he is an outcast, that he is different, or that he doesnt belong)
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3)

Simile: A comparison between two things using like or as.

1) His fleece was white as snow (describing the lamb from Mary Had a Little Lamb)
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3)

Oxymoron: When two opposite ideas are joined to create a comedic or paradoxical effect.

1) Awfully pretty or Jumbo shrimp
2)

3)

Onomatopoeia: A word, which imitates the sound of something, making the description more expressive.

1) Bleep, blorp, bleep or Buzzzzz
2)

3)

Symbolism: Using objects to give ideas and qualities a symbolic meaning that is different from their literal
meaning. Symbols are used to give seemingly ordinary objects a deeper significance or sense of meaning.

1) Red = passion, love or Black = death, hopelessness or A chain = unity or A dove = peace
2)

3)
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Literary Elements: Exist inherently within a text (meaning, a text must have all of these elements in order to
exist), but the better they are developed, the greater impact they have.

Conflict
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Characterization
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Mood
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)


Tone
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Plot
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Point of View
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Setting
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Style
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)

Theme
Definition:

Ex. 1)

Ex. 2)