Understanding Literary Devices: A Comprehensive Guide
Explore the world of literature with this detailed guide on figurative language, characterization, conflict, connotation, denotation, epiphany, foreshadowing, and imagery. Discover how authors skillfully use these literary devices to enhance storytelling and engage readers in meaningful ways. Each concept is explained with examples and visuals to deepen your understanding and appreciation of literature.
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Presentation Transcript
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE 1-10 QUARTER 1 STETKA
CHARACTERIZATION CHARACTERIZATION IN LITERATURE REFERS THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS WHERE AN AUTHOR INTRODUCES AND THEN DESCRIBES A CHARACTER. THE CHARACTER CAN BE DESCRIBED DIRECTLY BY THE AUTHOR OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH THE ACTIONS, THOUGHTS, AND SPEECH OF THE CHARACTER.
CONFLICT A LITERARY DEVICE USED FOR EXPRESSING A PROBLEM THE PROTAGONIST OF THE STORY FINDS IN ACHIEVING HIS AIMS OR DREAMS. THIS CONFLICT CAN HAVE EXTERNAL AGGRESSORS OR CAN EVEN ARISE FROM WITHIN THE SELF. EXAMPLE: JOHN TRIED HARD TO CONVINCE HIMSELF THAT HIS HOLLYWOOD DREAMS WERE WORTH THE STRUGGLE BUT HIS PARENTS, AND HIS INNER VOICE OF REASON, FAILED TO AGREE.
CONNOTATION CONNOTATIONS ARE THE ASSOCIATIONS PEOPLE MAKE WITH WORDS THAT GO BEYOND THE LITERAL OR DICTIONARY DEFINITION. MANY WORDS HAVE CONNOTATIONS THAT CREATE EMOTIONS OR FEELINGS IN THE READER. EXAMPLE: SNAKE SOMEONE WHO WILL DO YOU HARM/CAN T BE TRUSTED
DENOTATION DENOTATION REFERS TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION OR LITERAL MEANING OF A WORD. EXAMPLE: SNAKE A REPTILE
EPIPHANY SUDDEN FEELING OF KNOWLEDGE THAT BRINGS TO LIGHT WHAT WAS SO FAR HIDDEN AND CHANGES ONE S LIFE IS CALLED EPIPHANY. EXAMPLE: LET US CONSIDER AN EPIPHANY OF A SMOKER: I USED TO SMOKE A LOT. EVERYONE LET ME KNOW THAT IT WAS BAD FOR MY HEALTH HOWEVER, I DIDN T PAY ANY NOTICE. ONE DAY I SAW MY TWO YEARS OF AGE OFFSPRING TRYING FOR A USED CIGARETTE WITHIN AN ASHTRAY. SEEING THIS, ABRUPTLY IT DAWNED UPON ME HOW TERRIBLE SMOKING WAS AND I STOPPED SMOKING.
FORESHADOWING HINTS THAT SET THE STAGE FOR A STORY TO UNFOLD AND GIVE THE READER A HINT OF SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT REVEALING THE STORY OR SPOILING THE SUSPENSE. FORESHADOWING IS USED TO SUGGEST AN UPCOMING OUTCOME TO THE STORY. EXAMPLE: A CREEPY BASEMENT INTRODUCED AT THE BEGINNING OF A MOVIE MAY FORESHADOW DANGER AHEAD
IMAGERY THE AUTHOR USES WORDS AND PHRASES TO CREATE MENTAL IMAGES FOR THE READER. IMAGERY HELPS THE READER TO VISUALIZE MORE REALISTICALLY THE AUTHOR S WRITINGS. EXAMPLE: THE GUSHING BROOK STOLE ITS WAY DOWN THE LUSH GREEN MOUNTAINS, DOTTED WITH TINY FLOWERS IN A RIOT OF COLORS AND TREES COMING ALIVE WITH GAILY CHIRPING BIRDS.
PERSONIFICATION PERSONIFICATION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED AND RECOGNIZED LITERARY DEVICES. IT REFERS TO THE PRACTICE OF ATTACHING HUMAN TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS WITH NON-HUMAN THINGS. EXAMPLE: THE RAGING WINDS THE WISE OWL THE WARM AND COMFORTING FIRE
SETTING USED TO IDENTIFY AND ESTABLISH THE TIME, PLACE AND MOOD OF THE EVENTS OF THE STORY. IT BASICALLY HELPS IN ESTABLISHING WHERE AND WHEN AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THE STORY IS TAKING PLACE. EXAMPLE: IN THE HARRY POTTER SERIES, A LARGE PART OF THE BOOK TAKES PLACE AT THE HOGWARTS. THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED IT S SETTING.
THEME ACTS AS A FOUNDATION FOR THE ENTIRE LITERARY PIECE. THE THEME LINKS ALL ASPECTS OF THE LITERARY WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER AND IS BASICALLY THE MAIN SUBJECT THAT HELPS PROVIDE A CERTAIN INSIGHT INTO THE STORY. EXAMPLE: THE MAIN THEME IN THE PLAY ROMEO AND JULIET WAS LOVE WITH SMALLER THEMES OF SACRIFICE, TRAGEDY, STRUGGLE, HARDSHIP, DEVOTION AND SO ON.
