LITERARY DEVICES 5.

SYNECDOCHE-It is a part used to

represent a whole.
LD refers to the typical structures used
EXAMPLES:
by the writers in their works to convey his or her
◆ boots – soldiers
messages in simple manners to the reader.
◆ wheels – vehicle
◆ roof – house
I. FIGURE OF SPEECH ◆ sail - ship
1. ALLITERATION- repetition of the 6. HYPERBOLE-It is a ridiculous
consonant sound in a sequence. exaggeration that can be funny and
EXAMPLES:
makes a point. A figure of speech in
◆ Peter Piper picked a pick of pickled which exaggeration is used for emphasis
peppers. or effect.
◆ “While I nodded, nearly napping, EXAMPLES:
suddenly there came tapping.” -The ◆ I am hungry, I could eat a horse.
Raven by Edgar Allan Poe ◆ I waited an eternity for summer to get
here!
2. ASSONANCE- It is the repetition of the ◆ I’m starving to death!
similar vowel sound in between of the
neighboring words. 7. METAPHOR-A direct comparison of two
EXAMPLES:
dissimilar objects.
◆ "Hear the mellow wedding bells" EXAMPLES:
◆ “Shine bright like a diamond.” ◆ Time is money.
◆ “He’s so mad, but he won’t give up that ◆ Time is a thief.
easy? No.” ◆ You are my sunshine.
◆ He has a heart of stone.
3. APOSTROPHE-It addresses inanimate ◆ He is a shining star.
objects as real objects or when the ◆ Your voice is music to my ears.
speaker talks directly to someone who is
not present or is dead. 8. IMAGERY-Language that speaks to your
EXAMPLES:
senses. Words that create a picture in
◆ Oh, trees, how majestic you are as you your mind.
throw down your golden leaves. EXAMPLES:
◆ Dear love, please don't shoot me with Saturday morning jumped out of bed
your Cupid's bow. and put on my best suit
Got in my car and raced like a jet, all
4. METONYMY-It refers to a word or phrase the way to you
substituted for another to which is Knocked on your door with heart in my
unidentifiable and associated with the hand
idea referred to. Concrete To ask you a question
representation of ideas.

EXAMPLES:
◆ Crown - in place of a royal person
(We will swear loyalty to the crown.)
◆ Heart - to refer to love or emotion
(My dear, you have all of my heart.)
◆ Ears - for giving attention, listening
(Tell me about your first date. I'm
all ears!)
9. SIMILE-Comparing two unlike things with
the use of words “like” or “as”
EXAMPLES:
◆ He is as funny as a monkey.
◆ Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
◆ My heart is like an open highway.
◆ You're as cold as ice.
10. PERSONIFICATION-Giving human
characteristics to objects, animals, or
ideas. This can really add to a reader's
enjoyment of a poem as it changes the
way he looks at things.
EXAMPLES:
◆ "The sun played hide and seek with the
clouds."
◆ "Opportunity knocked on the door."
◆ "The vines wove their fingers together to
form a braid."
11. ONOMATOPOEIA-Onomatopoeia is
word that imitates the sound
represents.
EXAMPLES:
◆ Boom, badoom, boom, boom,
badoom, boom, bass. Yeah that super
bass.
◆ Louder, louder than a lion
◆ ‘Cause I am champion and you’re
gonna hear me roar…roar…
12. PARADOX-It reveals something true
which at first seems contradictory.
EXAMPLES:
◆ He was a brave coward.
◆ When you win all the time, you lose.
◆ Save money by spending it.
◆ Truth is honey, which is bitter.
13. ALLUSION-Figure of speech that makes
a reference to a place, event, literary
work, myth, or work of art, either directly
or by implication.
EXAMPLES:
◆ “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.”
(“Romeo” is a reference to
Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate
lover of Juliet, in “Romeo and Juliet”.)
◆ The girl's love of sweets was her Achilles
heel.
14. EUPHEMISM-It is a polite word or phrase
used in place of one that may be too
direct, unpleasant, or embarrassing.
EXAMPLES:
◆ died - passed away
◆ short - vertically challenged
◆ used - pre loved
◆ abortion – pregnancy termination
◆ cheap – economical
◆ broke – negative cash flow
15. OXYMORON-Two words placed close
a together which are contradictory, yet
it have truth in them.
EXAMPLES:
◆ peaceful war
◆ dark sunshine
◆ known secret
◆ clearly misunderstood
◆ original copy
II. SYMBOLISM- It is using an object or
action that means something more than
its literal meaning.
EXAMPLES:
◆ Black is used to represent death or evil.
◆ White stands for life and purity.
◆ Red can symbolize blood, passion,
danger, or immoral character.
◆ Purple is a royal color.
◆ Yellow stands for violence or decay.
◆ Blue represents peacefulness and calm.
◆ A chain can symbolize the coming
together of two things.
◆ A ladder can represent the relationship
between heaven and earth or
ascension.
◆ A mirror can denote the sun but, when it
is broken, it can represent an unhappy
union or a separation.
III. FORESHADOWING-It occurs when
future events in a story are suggested by
the author before they actually
happened.
IV. FLASHBACK-A flashback takes the
narrative back in time to an earlier point
in the story. Often used to create
suspense or develop a character
V. IDIOMS-These are expressions with
meanings different from the literal
meaning of the words.

EXAMPLES:
◆ I got cold feet before my speech.
-I was scared.
◆ My boss gave me the green light
-My boss said yes.

VI. THEME-The theme in a story is its

underlying message, or 'big idea.'

VII. JUXTAPOSITION-It involves using two

themes, characters, phrases, words or
situations together for comparison
contrast.

EXAMPLES:
◆ What’s good for the goose is good for
the gander.
In this case, the female goose is a
contrast to the male gander, yet what is
good for one is good for the other. This
means that whatever is good for an
individual is for the good of all.
◆ Better late than never.
(While being late is a negative thing, the
possibility of something never
happening or someone never arriving is
much worse. Therefore, this juxtaposition
puts things into perspective.)