Literary Devices & Figures of Speech
Discover the tools that make language come alive. Master metaphors, similes, and other literary techniques to enhance your writing and better understand literature.
Literary devices are techniques that writers use to create special effects, convey meaning, and make their writing more engaging and memorable. They help transform ordinary language into something extraordinary.
Purpose
Create vivid imagery and emotional impact
Effect
Make writing more memorable and powerful
Usage
Poetry, prose, speeches, and everyday language
Metaphor
A direct comparison that says one thing IS another thing
Examples:
- “Life is a journey.”
- “Her voice is music to my ears.”
- “The classroom was a zoo.”
- “Time is money.”
Effect:
Creates powerful, direct imagery and emotional connection
Simile
A comparison using “like” or “as” to show similarity
Examples:
- “Brave as a lion.”
- “She sings like an angel.”
- “Quick as lightning.”
- “Smooth as silk.”
Effect:
Makes descriptions more vivid and relatable
Personification
Giving human characteristics to non-human things
Examples:
- “The wind whispered through the trees.”
- “The sun smiled down on us.”
- “Time marches on.”
- “The car groaned as it climbed the hill.”
Hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect
Examples:
- “I’ve told you a million times.”
- “She’s as old as the hills.”
- “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
- “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in successive words
Examples:
- “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
- “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.”
- “Big, bad, bold”
- “Wild and windy weather”
Usage:
Poetry, tongue twisters, advertising slogans, memorable phrases
Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate the sound they represent
Examples:
- Animal sounds: “buzz,” “meow,” “roar”
- Impact sounds: “bang,” “crash,” “thud”
- Water sounds: “splash,” “drip,” “gurgle”
- Movement sounds: “whoosh,” “zip,” “flutter”
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds within words
Examples:
- “Hear the mellow wedding bells” (e sounds)
- “Try to light the fire” (i sounds)
- “Go slow over the road” (o sounds)
Consonance
Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words
Examples:
- “Pitter patter” (t sounds)
- “All mammals named Sam are clammy” (m sounds)
- “Mike likes his new bike” (k sounds)
Irony
A contrast between expectation and reality
Situational Irony
A fire station burns down
Verbal Irony
Saying “Great weather!” during a storm
Dramatic Irony
Reader knows what character doesn’t
Symbolism
Using objects to represent deeper meanings
Common Symbols:
- Dove = peace
- Red rose = love
- Owl = wisdom
- Cross = faith
- Hourglass = time
Allegory
Extended metaphor with hidden meaning
Famous Examples:
- Animal Farm (political corruption)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (good vs. evil)
- The Tortoise and the Hare (perseverance)
Foreshadowing
Hints about future events in the story
“Little did she know that this would be the last time she saw her hometown.”
Hints at future departure or tragedy
Paradox
A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals truth
Examples:
- “Less is more.”
- “The beginning of the end.”
- “Cruel to be kind.”
Writing Tips
Purpose First
Choose devices that serve your message, not just for decoration
Less is More
Use devices sparingly for maximum impact
Know Your Audience
Adjust complexity based on your readers
Practice Recognition
Read actively and identify devices in literature
Common Mistakes
Overuse
Too many metaphors can confuse rather than clarify
Mixed Metaphors
Combining incompatible comparisons in one sentence
Forced Alliteration
Using it when it doesn’t fit naturally
Unclear Symbolism
Symbols that are too obscure for your audience