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A literary device used to eliminate conjunctions between phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Example: I came, I saw, I conquered.

An abrupt turn from the serious and poetic to the regular and silly, often for comedic effect. Example: 'The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.'

A means of convincing others of the character or credibility of the persuader. Example: 'As a doctor with 30 years of experience, I am qualified to diagnose this condition.'

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

A figure of speech that directly compares two different things by stating that one is the other. Example: The classroom was a zoo.

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: The concept of 'bittersweet' experiences.

A literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part. Example: The term 'wheels' refers to a vehicle.

A construction in which one word is used in two different senses. Example: After fishing for compliments, not fish, she had nothing to show.

A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. Example: Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' satirizes society.

A method of convincing people with an argument drawn out through an emotional response. Example: Animal shelter ads showing sad animals to tug on the heartstrings.

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept. Example: The pen is mightier than the sword (where 'pen' stands for 'the written word' and 'sword' for 'military power').

A figure of speech in which a word applies to multiple parts of the sentence. Example: John lost his coat and his temper.

The attitude or approach that the author takes toward the work’s central theme or subject. Example: A writer's tone can be serious, sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek, solemn, objective, and so on.

A figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. Example: 'Cruel kindness' or 'living death'.

The appearance of being true or real in a work of fiction. It helps the reader to suspend disbelief and accept the narrative as possible. Example: The detailed depiction of the character's job in 'The Martian' by Andy Weir.

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story. Example: The evening was still. Suddenly, a cool breeze started blowing and made a windy night.

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Example: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Using symbols to represent ideas or qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Example: Doves are a symbol of peace.

A typical character, an action, or a situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature. Example: The hero, the mother figure, and the journey are all archetypal elements.

A word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the source of the sound that it describes. Example: The bees buzzed as they flew past.

A contrast or incongruity between expectations for a situation and what is reality. This can be verbal, situational, or dramatic. Example: A fire station burns down.

A figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present in the poem. Example: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form. Example: Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.

A literary device that refers 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. Example: The whispering waves were wistful.

The repetition of consonant sounds, typically within or at the end of words that do not rhyme and preceded by different vowel sounds. Example: He struck a streak of bad luck.

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.

A way of persuading an audience with reason, using facts and figures. Example: 'History has shown time and again that absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

A literary device where animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts are given human characteristics. Example: The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or comedic effect. Example: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

An indirect or passing reference to an event, person, place, or artistic work that the author expects the reader to recognize. Example: He was a real Romeo with the ladies.

The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. It is what the reader feels while reading. Example: Edgar Allan Poe's stories often have a dark, gothic mood.

A character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character. The objective is to highlight the traits of the other character. Example: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are in close proximity. Example: She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Example: 'Pass away' is a euphemism for 'die'.

A literary device that attributes human qualities and emotions to inanimate objects of nature. Example: The somber clouds darkened our mood.

A story with two levels of meaning. First, there's the surface of the story. Then, there's the symbolic level, or the deeper meaning that they signify. Example: George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution.

A literary technique in which conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or) are used repeatedly in quick succession, often with no commas, even when the conjunctions could be removed. Example: He ran and jumped and laughed for joy.

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is used to reinforce the meanings of words or to set the mood. Example: Hear the mellow wedding bells.

A literary technique in which the normal order of words is reversed, in order to achieve a particular effect of emphasis or meter. Example: Persuade you, I shall.

A literary device that uses a mix of harsh, discordant sounds within a passage to create a disturbing, objectionable atmosphere. Example: His fingers rapped and pounded the door, and his foot thumped against the yellowing wood.

A moment of sudden revelation or insight that a character experiences. Example: In James Joyce's 'The Dead', the protagonist Gabriel has an epiphany about his life when he sees the snow falling.

The use of informal words, phrases, or even slang in a piece of writing. Example: 'Wanna' instead of 'want to', and 'y'all' for 'you all'.

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, which determines the level of formality. Example: The use of 'thee' and 'thou' in historical texts denotes formal or religious diction.

A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. Through its repetition, a motif can help produce other narrative (or literary) aspects such as theme or mood. Example: The 'one ring' in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' which represents power and corruption.

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. Example: Her smile was as bright as the sun.

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Example: Not bad means good.

A statement that may seem absurd or contradictory but yet can be true, or at least makes sense. Example: War is peace.