An extended metaphor is a literary device that serves the same purpose as a metaphor—to create a comparison—but uses several sentences, paragraphs, or even longer to do so.
A regular metaphor creates a simple, concise comparison in one line or sentence, while an extended metaphor does the same thing but uses more language to elaborate on the comparison with more complex ideas.
Extended metaphor exampleHope is like a lighthouse. It shines a guiding light, helping us navigate life’s challenges. And that lighthouse shines brightest during the darkest of nights, especially when surrounded by rough seas.
In this example, the extended metaphor compares hope to a lighthouse, where hope is strongest during our darkest times, and “rough seas” to the uncertainty of life.
Rhyme is the repetition of identical or similar sounds at the end of words (e.g., “the cat in the hat”). Rhymes are often found at the end of a line in song lyrics or poems but can occur anywhere in a line or sentence.
Using rhyme adds a musical element to your writing and tends to make it more memorable and “catchy.”
Rhyme examplesThe stars above shine bright and clear,
As the moon reflects the sea so near.
The rain came down on a steady beat.
And puddles formed around my feet.
Assonance is a literary device that uses the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words (e.g., “the need for speed”). Assonance enhances the emotional and aesthetic quality of writing, often making it more rhythmic or “catchier.”
Assonance examplesOne of the best and most famous examples of assonance is “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain” from the Broadway play My Fair Lady.
The “ay” sound repeated so closely together throughout the sentence makes it an example of assonance.
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which a word is pronounced the same way as the sound associated with it. Onomatopoeia occurs most commonly with animal sounds (e.g., the buzz from a bee), mechanical sounds (e.g., the clang of metal on metal), and action/impact sounds (e.g., the boom from an explosion).
Onomatopoeia examplesThe thunder boomed in the distance as the storm approached.
A palindrome is a word, phrase, name, or number that reads the same forward or backward (e.g., noon, 1001). They occur more commonly than you might think and appear in names, dates, places, and other everyday language uses.
Palindrome examples
Kayak
1221
Madam, in Eden, I’m Adam
Ana
NotePalindromes do not account for spaces, punctuation, or capitalization.
Anachronism is when film, literature, or other types of storytelling use something from one time period in a different time period. It can be something from the past used in a futuristic setting or something from the future used in the past. Anachronisms can be accidental, such as historical inaccuracies, or intentional to make a point or add humor.
Anachronism exampleIn the 1993 film Robin Hood: Men in Tights, set in medieval England, Dave Chappelle’s character, Achoo, wears all medieval clothing except for his footwear—Reebok Pumps, a sneaker popular in the United States in the 1990s.
This is an example of an intentional anachronism done for comedic effect.
Sibilance is a literary device where strongly emphasized hissing or hushing sounds are repeated throughout a sentence. These sounds are most commonly created through the use of consonants like “s,” “sh,” and “z.”
Sibilance sentence examplesSam slowly sipped hissweet tea by the shore.
She savored the silence while shaking the snow from her scarf.
The snake snuck through the sand while slithering slowly.
Published on
October 9, 2024
by
Ryan Cove.
Revised on
October 27, 2024.
Symbolism is a literary device where characters, objects, actions, or ideas are ingrained or associated with a deeper meaning beyond the literal sense. Simply put, symbolism is the idea that things can represent other things.
Symbolism can convey abstract ideas, themes, or emotions. It allows writers to indirectly communicate complex concepts, create layers of meaning, and encourage readers to think more deeply about underlying messages within a story.
Symbolism exampleThere are many symbols that tend to be commonly understood. For example, a dove is literally a bird but often symbolizes peace, hope, or purity. A snake is literally an animal, but it symbolizes temptation and evil.
Other examples, however, are very specific and can only be understood in a specific context. For example, in the movie Citizen Kane, the word “Rosebud” refers to the protagonist’s literal snow sled he owned as a child, but it symbolizes his lost childhood and an unattainable past.
An oxymoron is a literary device that combines two seemingly contradictory words to form an often thought-provoking concept or idea (e.g., controlled chaos and silent scream).
The two words—which tend to be next to each other in the sentence—clash in a way that forces the reader to pause and reconsider the meaning, often discovering a nuanced and deeper meaning.
Oxymoron examplesThe deafening silence was unbearable.
The plane made a crash landing after the pilot lost control.
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows information that the characters do not, creating tension or humor. This literary device enhances the audience’s engagement, as they anticipate the characters’ reactions upon discovering the truth.
Dramatic irony exampleIn the TV show The Office, viewers often know more about the characters’ private thoughts and feelings through mockumentary-style interviews than their colleagues do, creating comedic situations based on misunderstandings.
Dramatic irony is commonly used in plays, movies, and literature to build suspense and deepen emotional impact.
