Assignment by Mara Isabel Z.

Bravo HUMSS1802

Literary Devices Definition Examples

Imagery As a literary device, imagery consists of
descriptive language that can function as a
way for the reader to better imagine the
world of the piece of literature and also
add symbolism to the work. Imagery draws
on the five senses, namely the details
of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
Imagery can also pertain to details about
movement or a sense of a body in motion
(kinesthetic imagery) or the emotions or
sensations of a person, such as fear or
hunger (organic imagery or subjective
imagery). Using imagery helps the reader
develop a more fully realized
understanding of the imaginary world that
the author has created.
http://www.literarydevices.com/imagery/
 Taste: The familiar tang
of his grandmother’s
cranberry sauce reminded
him of his youth.
 Sound: The concert was
so loud that her ears rang
for days afterward.
 Sight: The sunset was the
most gorgeous they’d
ever seen; the clouds
were edged with pink and
gold.
 Smell: After eating the
curry, his breath reeked
of garlic.
 Touch: The tree bark was
rough against her skin.

Figures of Speech A figure of speech is a phrase or word

having different meanings than its literal
meanings. It conveys meaning by
identifying or comparing one thing to
another, which has connotation or meaning
familiar to the audience. That is why it is
helpful in creating vivid rhetorical effect.

a. Simile It is a type of comparison between things or As afraid as a grasshopper

objects by using “as” or “like.”

b. Metaphor Metaphor is comparing two unlike objects The news was a dragger to his
or things, which may have some common heart.
qualities

c. Personification It occurs when a writer gives human traits Pride goes forth on horseback,
to non-human or inanimate objects. It is grand and gay.
similar to metaphors and similes that also
use comparison between two objects.

d. Hyperbole Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration. It Why, man, if the river is dry,
exaggerates to lay emphasis on a certain I am able to fill it with tears.
quality or feature. It stirs up emotions
among the readers, these emotions could be
about happiness, romance, inspiration,
laughter or sadness.
Assignment by Mara Isabel Z. Bravo HUMSS1802

e. Euphemism Euphemism consists in the description of a You are telling me a fairy tale.
disagreeable thing by an agreeable name. (You are telling me lies)

f. Antithesis In Antithesis, a striking opposition or Not that I loved Caesar less,

contrast of words or sentiments is made in but I loved Rome more.
the same sentence. It is employed to secure
emphasis.

g. Oxymoron Oxymoron is special type of Antithesis, She accepted it as the kind

whereby two contradictory qualities are cruelty of surgeon’s knife.
predicted at once of the same thing.

h. Irony Irony is made of speech in which the real No doubts but you are the
meaning is exactly the opposite of that people, and wisdom shall die
which is literally conveyed. with you.

i. Apostrophe An Apostrophe is a direct address to the Friend! I know not which way
dead, to the absent, or to a personified I must look for comfort.
object or idea. This figure is a special form
of Personification.

Idiomatic Idiomatic expression are the informal language A hot potato

Expression that have meaning different from the meaning Speak of an issue (mostly
of the words in the expression current) which many people
are talking about and which is
usually disputed
A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what
someone is thinking
Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery
or indignity; to worsen an
unfavorable situation.
At the drop of a hat
Meaning: without any
hesitation; instantly.
Assignment by Mara Isabel Z. Bravo HUMSS1802

Diction Diction can be defined as style of speaking Diction Example 1. “I had

or writing, determined by the choice of scarcely laid the first tier of
words by a speaker or a writer. Diction, or the masonry when I
choice of words, often separates good discovered that the
writing from bad writing. It depends on a intoxication of Fortunato had
number of factors. Firstly, the word has to in a great measure worn off.”
be right and accurate. Secondly, words
should be appropriate to the context in Poe’s narrator, the sadistic
which they are used. Lastly, the choice of Montresor, is walling his
words should be such that the listener or enemy up alive. The high
reader understands easily. diction reflects the character’s
sense of superiority and
a. Formal diction formal words are used in formal situations, emotional detachment from
such as press conferences and his victim.
presentations.
Diction Example 2. Give him
b. Informal uses informal words and conversation, such 5 ccs of potassium chloride,
diction as writing or talking to friends. stat.

c. Colloquial uses words common in everyday speech, Diction Example 3. Boo, you
diction which may be different in different regions must be 5 ccs of potassium
or communities. chloride, because you just
made my heart stop.
d. Slang diction is the use of words that are newly coined,
or even impolite.

Sources:

https://literarydevices.net/imagery/

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-imagery.html

https://literarydevices.net/figure-of-speech/

http://www.english-for-students.com/Figure-of-Speech.html

https://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/idiomatic-expressions.html

https://literarydevices.net/diction/

https://www.k12reader.com/term/diction/