Literary Devices
1. Onomotapoiea
Definition: The term ‘onomatopoeia’ refers to words whose very sound is very close to the
sound they are meant to depict. In other words, it refers to sound words whose pronunciation
to the actual sound they represent.
Example: Words such as grunt, huff, buzz and snap are words whose pronunciation sounds very
similar to the actual sounds these words represent. In literature such words are useful in creating
a stronger mental image. For instance, sentences such as “the whispering of the forest trees” or
“the hum of a thousand bees” or “the click of the door in the nighttime” create vivid mental
images.
2. Allegory
Definition: An allegory suggests a hidden meaning via the use of metaphoric examples. An
allegory is a device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract moral or political concept is
conveyed with the aid of more material objects or ideas being used as an example.
Example: Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief
and steadfastness will see you to the very top.
3. Allusion
Definition: An allusion is a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such
as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference. It is up to the reader to make a
connection to the subject being mentioned.
Example: It’s no wonder everyone refers to Mary as another Mother Teresa in the making; she
loves to help and care after people everywhere, from the streets to her own friends.
In the example the author uses the mention of Mother Teresa to indicate the sort of qualities
that Mary has.
4. Apostrophe
Definition: As a literary device, apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not
present or to a personified object, such as Yorick's skull in Hamlet. It comes from the Greek
word apostrephein which means "to turn away."
Example: Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me
die.
5. Metonomy
Definition: Metonymy in literature refers to the practice of not using the formal word for an
object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to
, the formal name or word. It is the practice of substituting the main word with a word that is
closely linked to it.
Example: When we use the name “Washington D.C” we are talking about the U.S’ political hot
seat by referring to the political capital of the United States because all the significant political
institutions such as the White House, Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and many more are
located her. The phrase “Washington D.C.” is metonymy for the government of the U.S. in this
case.
6. Oxymoron
Definition: Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory,
contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a
strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it
helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing.
Example: Sometimes we cherish things of little value.
He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.
7. Paradox
Definition: A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory
to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The
uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not
revealed at first glance, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight.
Example: High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king.
8. Synecdoche
Definition: A synecdoche is a literary devices that uses a part of something to refer to the whole
or vice versa. It is somewhat rhetorical in nature, where the entire object is represented by way
of a fraction of it or a fraction of the object is symbolized by the whole.
Example: “Weary feet in the walk of life”, does not refer to the feet actually being tired or
painful; it is symbolic of a long, hard struggle through the journey of life and feeling low, tired,
unoptimistic and ‘the walk of life’ does not represent an actual path or distance covered, instead
refers to the entire sequence of life events that has made the person tired.
9. Caesura
Definition: This literary device involves creating a fracture of sorts within a sentence where the
two separate parts are distinguishable from one another yet intrinsically linked to one another.
The purpose of using a caesura is to create a dramatic pause, which has a strong impact. The
pause helps to add an emotional, often theatrical touch to the sentence and conveys a depth of
sentiment in a short phrase.
Example: Mozart- oh how your music makes me soar!
1. Onomotapoiea
Definition: The term ‘onomatopoeia’ refers to words whose very sound is very close to the
sound they are meant to depict. In other words, it refers to sound words whose pronunciation
to the actual sound they represent.
Example: Words such as grunt, huff, buzz and snap are words whose pronunciation sounds very
similar to the actual sounds these words represent. In literature such words are useful in creating
a stronger mental image. For instance, sentences such as “the whispering of the forest trees” or
“the hum of a thousand bees” or “the click of the door in the nighttime” create vivid mental
images.
2. Allegory
Definition: An allegory suggests a hidden meaning via the use of metaphoric examples. An
allegory is a device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract moral or political concept is
conveyed with the aid of more material objects or ideas being used as an example.
Example: Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief
and steadfastness will see you to the very top.
3. Allusion
Definition: An allusion is a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such
as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference. It is up to the reader to make a
connection to the subject being mentioned.
Example: It’s no wonder everyone refers to Mary as another Mother Teresa in the making; she
loves to help and care after people everywhere, from the streets to her own friends.
In the example the author uses the mention of Mother Teresa to indicate the sort of qualities
that Mary has.
4. Apostrophe
Definition: As a literary device, apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not
present or to a personified object, such as Yorick's skull in Hamlet. It comes from the Greek
word apostrephein which means "to turn away."
Example: Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me
die.
5. Metonomy
Definition: Metonymy in literature refers to the practice of not using the formal word for an
object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to
, the formal name or word. It is the practice of substituting the main word with a word that is
closely linked to it.
Example: When we use the name “Washington D.C” we are talking about the U.S’ political hot
seat by referring to the political capital of the United States because all the significant political
institutions such as the White House, Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and many more are
located her. The phrase “Washington D.C.” is metonymy for the government of the U.S. in this
case.
6. Oxymoron
Definition: Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory,
contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a
strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it
helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing.
Example: Sometimes we cherish things of little value.
He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.
7. Paradox
Definition: A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory
to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The
uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not
revealed at first glance, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight.
Example: High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king.
8. Synecdoche
Definition: A synecdoche is a literary devices that uses a part of something to refer to the whole
or vice versa. It is somewhat rhetorical in nature, where the entire object is represented by way
of a fraction of it or a fraction of the object is symbolized by the whole.
Example: “Weary feet in the walk of life”, does not refer to the feet actually being tired or
painful; it is symbolic of a long, hard struggle through the journey of life and feeling low, tired,
unoptimistic and ‘the walk of life’ does not represent an actual path or distance covered, instead
refers to the entire sequence of life events that has made the person tired.
9. Caesura
Definition: This literary device involves creating a fracture of sorts within a sentence where the
two separate parts are distinguishable from one another yet intrinsically linked to one another.
The purpose of using a caesura is to create a dramatic pause, which has a strong impact. The
pause helps to add an emotional, often theatrical touch to the sentence and conveys a depth of
sentiment in a short phrase.
Example: Mozart- oh how your music makes me soar!
