Literary Elements/Figurative Language Literary elements can be found in all types of writing. They are used to enhance the readers experience.

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using words such as like, as, than or resembles. Ex: She sings like a bird

Metaphor A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing becomes another thing. Ex: She is a witch.

Ex: I saw the bouncing, baby boy Alliteration The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. Ex: I saw the bouncing, baby boy

Imagery/Sensory Details Descriptive language that appeals to the senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Ex: The delicious mozzarella cheese dripped off the slice of pepperoni pizza.

Onomatopoeia The use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning. Examples: boom, bang, sniffle, rumble

Ex: The tree wept with sorrow. Personification A special kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were human. Ex: The tree wept with sorrow.

Dialogue Conversation between two or more characters in a story. Identified by “Quotation Marks ”

An idea about life revealed in a work of literature. Theme An idea about life revealed in a work of literature.

Irony A contrast between what is expected and what really happens Irony can create powerful effects, from humor to horror.

Examples of Irony A shoemaker wears shoes with holes in them. 2. A police officer robs a bank. 3. It rains on the day a group of weather forecasters schedule a picnic.

Conflict A struggle or a clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.

There are 2 types of Conflict External Conflict- a struggle between a character and some outside force. Internal Conflict- a struggle between opposing desires or emotions within a person.

Foreshadowing The use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot of a story.

Point of View The vantage point from which a story is told.

There are 2 types of point of view Omniscient- all knowing point of view, The narrator knows everything about the characters. First Person- one character is telling a story using the pronoun “I”. The reader can only know what that character knows or observes.

Cause and Effect When one thing is a direct result of another thing.

Mood The overall emotion created by a work of literature.

Tone The attitude a writer takes toward an audience, a subject or a character.