Literary Devices Crossword

A symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example.
A literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, it involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence.
A figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference.
A literary device that helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas.
A short verbal accounting of a funny, amusing, interesting event or incident. The story is usually a reminiscence from the teller's life but at best is a related story of fact, as opposed to a contrived work of fiction.
Is used when the writer employs two sentences of contrasting meanings in close proximity to one another in order to create a balance between opposite qualities and lend a greater insight into the subject.
A reference to a concept, a person or an object that has served as a prototype of its kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again.
The repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase.
The practice in literature whereby the author purposely leaves out conjunctions in the sentence, while maintaining the grammatical accuracy of the phrase.
This term refers to the practice of basing a plot happening or event and anticipating the results it will have on a faction of the Bible.
This is a very popular form of storytelling whereby the author bases the plot on the overall growth of the central character throughout the timeline of the story.
The step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character.
A figure of speech containing two phrases that are parallel but inverted to each other.
A form of writing where the writer uses exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have otherwise been conveyed through a shorter, much simpler sentence.
It is a literary device used for expressing a resistance the protagonist of the story finds in achieving his aims or dreams.
Associations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition.
Repetition of sounds in quick succession produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase.
The use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word.
The distinctive tone or tenor of an author’s writings. Not just a writer's choice of words, it can include the mood, attitude, dialect and style of writing.
A literary device referring to the use of phrases and words that are noted for possessing an extensive degree of notable loveliness or melody in the sound they create.
A literary device wherein the author depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the present time the narration is following, or events that have happened before the events that are currently unfolding in the story.
Another character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes.
The use of indicative word or phrases and 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.
A literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect.
The author uses words and phrases to create mental images for the reader. It helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author’s writings.
Playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning.
A literary device wherein the author places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another. The purpose is to highlight the contrast between the two and compare them. This literary device is usually used for etching out a character in detail, creating suspense or lending a rhetorical effect.
Figures of rhetoric speech that use an understated statement of an affirmative by using a negative description.
The practice of misusing words by substituting words with similar sounding words that have different, often unconnected meanings, and thus creating a situation of confusion, misunderstanding and amusement. This technique is used to convey that the speaker or character is flustered, bothered, unaware or confused and as a result cannot employ proper diction.
A meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. One subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits.
A definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work.
Words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict.
Contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner.
The use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glance, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight.
Refers to the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals.
The sequence of events and happenings that make up a story.
The process of using conjunctions or connecting words frequently in a sentence, placed very close to one another.
The practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw.
Used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events of the story.
The practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. It is marked by the use of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’.
The practice of interchanging the first letters of some words in order to create new words or even to create nonsensical words in order to create a humorous setting.
A literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone.
The actual way in which words and sentences are placed together in the writing.
The base that acts as a foundation for the entire literary piece.
The perspective or attitude that the author adopts with regards to a specific character, place or development.