EDEXCEL IGCSE (9-1)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE B

LITERARY DEVICES
​ Simile:

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● Definition: A figure of speech that compares two different things
using "like" or "as."

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■ Example: He runs as fast as a cheetah.
■ Effect: Creates a vivid comparison, making descriptions more

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relatable and engaging for readers.
​ Metaphor:

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● Definition: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two
unlike things without using "like" or "as."
■ Example: The world is a stage.

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■ Effect: Enhances understanding by suggesting a direct
similarity, often adding depth and creativity to the writing.
​ Personification:
● Definition: Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities

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or abstract concepts.
■ Example: The stars danced in the night sky.
■ Effect: Makes non-human things feel more alive and relatable,

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allowing readers to connect emotionally.

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​ Alliteration:
● Definition: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of

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words.
■ Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
■ Effect: Adds rhythm and emphasis, making phrases memorable
and drawing attention to specific words.
​ Assonance:

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● Definition: The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
■ Example: The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
● Effect: Creates a musical quality in the writing, enhancing the overall
sound and flow of the language.
​ Onomatopoeia:
● Definition: Words that imitate or resemble the sound they describe.
■ Example: The clock ticked loudly in the quiet room.
■ Effect: Immerse readers by mimicking sounds, bringing the text
to life and appealing to the senses.
​ Hyperbole:
● Definition: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken
literally.
■ Example: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
■ Effect: Adds humour or drama by exaggerating, emphasizing a
point, and capturing the reader's attention.
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​ Irony:
● Definition: A situation where the actual outcome is opposite to what

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was expected.
■ Example: The fire station burned down while the firefighters were on

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a call.
■ Effect: Creates surprise or humor, making readers think more
deeply about the situation.

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​ Symbolism:

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● Definition: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
■ Example: The dove is a symbol of peace.
■ Effect: Adds layers of meaning, allowing writers to convey

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abstract ideas and themes through tangible symbols.
​ Imagery:
● Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating
a mental image.

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■ Example: The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers.
■ Effect: Evokes strong mental pictures, making the writing more
vivid and engaging for the reader.

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​ Oxymoron:

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● Definition: A combination of contradictory or opposite words.
■ Example: Deafening silence filled the room.

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■ Effect: Creates intrigue by combining contradictory terms, often
highlighting a paradox or complexity.
​ Allusion:
● Definition: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or
idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

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■ Example: His smile was like the Cheshire Cat's.
■ Effect: Invokes shared cultural knowledge, connecting the
reader to broader ideas and themes.
​ Foreshadowing:
● Definition: A literary device used to give hints or clues about what will
happen later in the story.
■ Example: The ominous clouds foreshadowed the approaching storm.
■ Effect: Builds anticipation and suspense, prompting readers to
speculate about future events.
​ Euphemism:
● Definition: A mild or indirect expression substituted for one
considered too harsh or blunt.
■ Example: He passed away instead of he died.
■ Effect: Softens harsh realities, maintaining a more gentle or
polite tone in communication.
​ Juxtaposition:
● Definition: Placing two or more things side by side for the purpose of
comparison.
■ Example: The contrast between light and dark in the painting
was striking.
■ Effect: Highlights contrasts, emphasizing differences to make a
point or create a powerful visual impact.
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​
​ Anaphora:

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● Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of
successive clauses.

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■ Example: I have a dream... I have a dream…
■ Effect: Reinforces a point through repetition, creating rhythm

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and emphasis for a persuasive or poetic effect.
​ Epiphany:

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● Definition: A moment of sudden realization or understanding.
■ Example: After hours of contemplation, she had an epiphany
about the solution.

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■ Effect: Provides a moment of clarity for characters or readers,
leading to a deeper understanding.
​ Paradox:
● Definition: A statement that appears contradictory but may be true.

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■ Example: The more you learn, the less you know.
■ Effect: Sparks intellectual curiosity by presenting seemingly
contradictory ideas that may reveal deeper truths.

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​ Pun:

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● Definition: A play on words that have similar sounds but different
meanings.

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■ Example: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
■ Effect: Adds humour or cleverness by playing with words that
have multiple meanings.
​ Cliché:
● Definition: An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality.

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■ Example: The calm before the storm.
■ Effect: Often overused, it can convey familiarity or create a sense
of recognition, but may lack originality.
​ Antithesis:
● Definition: A contrast or opposition between two things.
■ Example: Speech is silver, but silence is golden.
■ Effect: Emphasizes contrasts, highlighting the differences
between two opposing ideas.
​ Metonymy:
● Definition: The substitution of the name of one thing with something
closely associated with it.
■ Example: The White House issued a statement.
■ Effect: Creates associations between closely related concepts,
simplifying complex ideas.
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​ Synecdoche:
● Definition: A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the
whole.
■ Example: All hands on deck.
■ Effect: Allows writers to represent a whole by focusing on a part,
adding depth and detail.
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​ Litotes:
● Definition: A form of understatement where the positive is expressed

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by negating the opposite.
■ Example: The weather is not unkind today.

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■ Effect: Understates for emphasis, conveying a point by negating
its opposite.

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​ Cacophony:
● Definition: Harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

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■ Example: The traffic, honking horns, and shouting created a
cacophony in the city.
■ Effect: Evokes chaos or discomfort, reflecting the mood or

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tension in a scene.
​ Euphony:
● Definition: Pleasant, harmonious sound.
■ Example: The gentle melody of the piano brought a sense of

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euphony to the room.
■ Effect: Provides a pleasing and harmonious sound, creating a
positive and soothing atmosphere.

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​ Rhetorical Question:

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● Definition: A question asked for effect or emphasis but not meant to
be answered.

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■ Example: Who could resist such a tempting offer?
■ Effect: Engages readers by prompting thought without
requiring a direct response, emphasizing a point.
​ Colloquialism:
● Definition: The use of informal, everyday language in writing or

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speech.
■ Example: Wanna grab some lunch?
■ Effect: Creates a conversational and informal tone, making the
writing more relatable.
​ Ambiguity:
● Definition: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.
■ Example: Sarah saw the man on the hill with the telescope.
■ Effect: Encourages multiple interpretations, fostering critical
thinking and engagement.
​ Pathetic Fallacy:
● Definition: The attribution of human emotions to inanimate objects
or nature.
■ Example: The stormy sky reflected the character's inner turmoil.
■ Effect: Enhances the emotional impact by attributing human
emotions to nature, reflecting characters' feelings.

ExamTip : Literary Devices are quite important. Make sure to learn them all. You need
to be able to identify any use of them in Sec A and B ; and make use of them on your
writing in sec C

There is No Elevator to Success. You must take the Stairs