English literary devices

author's key message that conveys a lesson or moral about human nature

a classification of the literature, the published format of the story (type)

place and time of a piece

how the author chooses to express his/herself in the writing

organization of the story. Development of the plot (how the author moves times)

emotional climate of the work. References the readers' emotional reactions to the events occurring in the text.

author's overall attitude toward the subject presented

word choice

language deliberately designed to arouse emotion

a deliberate softening of a harsher truth (a nice way to say something)

gives a sense of astonishment or urgency

the emotional impact of a word; the various overtones a word carries

word or phrase found chiefly in everyday speech, as opposed to writing (more informal)

more extreme colloquialism; often racy, offensive, or abusive in nature

stereotyped, overused expression

used for the purpose of emphasis

an exaggeration

deliberate subtletly, often for comic or sarcastic effect; statement expressed by denying the opposite (not unattractive)

length and types of sentences created can effect the reading of the text and subtext

underlying message in words

a comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"

a comparison of two unlike things (not using "like" or "as").

a character, object, or event that has some meaning beyond itself

descriptions that specifically appeal to the senses

description that gives human elements to something that is not human

consecutive repetition of initial consonant sounds

a short but true statement about life (sometimes overlaps with cliche). Short version of theme, realization of life

an early indicator what is coming up in a story. Can preview or hint at what is going to happen

two contradictory words fitted together for emphasis and impact

a word for a sound

a reference to some other source, which the reader is assumed to have knowledge of

a parallel case with one or more points of resemblance, often used by writers to understand a complex or abstract point

words convey a meaning different from the apparent meaning used, sometimes to emphasize a point or situation

a deliberate playing on two possible meanings of a word or similar sounds of two words usually used to create a comic effect

an apparent contradiction

placing two items, words, or ideas side-by-side or closely together usually to make the reader consider a compare/contrast relationship

writer vs. speaker