Overview

A strong grasp of literary terms and devices is essential for analyzing and interpreting texts. These tools help uncover deeper meaning, structure, and artistry within a work. From figurative language to narrative structure, understanding how these elements function is key to effective literary analysis.

Key Terms to Know

• Metaphor & Simile: Comparing two things directly (metaphor) or using "like/as" (simile) to deepen imagery.
• Alliteration & Assonance: Repetition of consonant or vowel sounds to enhance rhythm and sound.
• Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality—verbal, situational, or dramatic.
• Symbolism: Using objects, characters, or settings to represent larger ideas.
• Foreshadowing: Hints about events to come, building suspense and cohesion.
• Theme: The central idea or message of a work.
• Motif: A recurring image, phrase, or symbol that reinforces theme.
• Point of View: The narrative perspective—first, second, third limited, or omniscient.
• Tone & Mood: Tone is the author’s attitude; mood is the emotional response evoked in the reader.
• Allusion: A reference to another literary or historical work, often enriching meaning through association.
• Enjambment: In poetry, the continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the end of a line.

Quick Tip

Literary devices are not just decoration—they are meaning in action. Learn to spot them, understand their purpose, and explain how they shape your interpretation of the text.