UFS 211 - ACADEMIC READING AND WRITING

TASK 7 - LITERARY DEVICES


ALLEGORY
An allegory is a device used to represent an idea, principle or meaning, which can be presented in literary form, such as a poem or novel; or in a visual form such as a painting or drawing.

As a literary device, an allegory is defined as an “extended metaphor”, or “symbolic representation”. Very often an allegoric story or play illustrates an idea or moral principle in which objects take on symbolic meaning.
example-The ants and the grasshopper

ALLITERATION
Alliteration is the repetition of the first syllables of a series of words and/ or phrases. Modern alliteration is predominantly consonant.
Alliteration can be broken down into two groups:

Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds but not consonant sounds.

example-Row row row your boat

Consonance
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds by not vowel sounds.
example-some mammals are clammy


ALLUSION
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, representation of a place, historical event, literary work, myth, or work of art. Allusions can be direct references or implications.
example-it must have rained for 40 days and 40 nights

ANALOGY
An analogy is a comparison that is made between two things that are in some way/ ways similar. An analogy is often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand
example-shoe is to foot as tire is to wheel

CLIMAX
The turning point of the action in a story, play or plot is referred to as the climax.
The climax represents the point at which the story gets exciting and more alive. In some stories there may be several points that can be arguably called the climatic points.

example-the climax of the Cinderella story is when Cinderella place her foot in the glass slippers and achieves a perfect fit. upon this revelation. she wins the marriage of the prince.

HYPERBOLE
A hyperbole is a figure of speech in which an overstatement or exaggeration occurs.
Often used in poetry or in casual speech, hyperboles are usually used to create emphasis or effect.
example-the bag weight a ton

METAPHOR
A metaphor is a comparison in which one thing is said to be another. The words “like” and “as” are not used in metaphors.
example-you are a gem

ONOMATOEPIA
onomatoepia is the formation of a word that imitates or suggests the sound that it represents.
example-the oink of the pig

PERSONIFICATION
Personification is a figure of speech where something nonhuman is given the characteristics of a human.
example-the camera loves me

SIMILE
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike quantities by employing the words “like”, “as”, or “than”.
example-she swims like a dolphin