What is a literary trope? A literary trope is the use of figurative or metaphorical language (like a figure of speech) for artistic effect. Today, the word trope often signals a common or overused literary device. The word trope (pronounced “trohp”) comes from the Greek word tropos, mea...
What is social context in literature? What is a modern genre based in folklore? What is dirty realism in literature? What are universal themes in literature? What is the characterization of "The Story of an Hour"? What literary genre is Like Water for Chocolate?
A literary paradox can serve many purposes, such as conveying humor, absurdity, philosophical wisdom, or societal critique. Literary paradoxes often underscore a text’s core message. Literary paradox examples ParadoxExplanation “The Child is father of the Man.” In William Wordsworth’s poem “My...
The gothic novel—one of the most important popular genres in literary history. This article offers a glimpse into the genre and its origins.
An oxymoron is a literary device that combines two contradictory words to form a nuanced idea (e.g., “controlled chaos” and “silent scream”).
What genre is Gone with the Wind? What genre is Far From the Madding Crowd? What is literary fiction versus commercial fiction? Is the short story a genre? What are universal themes in literature? What is a trope in literature? What are detective story genres?
Red herrings are a useful literary device because they divert attention away from the correct suspect, making the book longer and less straightforward. Red herrings also add suspense in a novel by testing the sleuth’s abilities and decision-making skills. A mystery is a puzzle, and the sle...
to Oedipus dynamic and complex choices and kingly personality that determines his fate. A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgement that leads to his/her downfall. In other words, even though both characters made incredible contributions and left a very noble legacy, their choices...
Rhetorical DevicesWhat Is Polysyndeton? Definition and Examples Rhetorical DevicesWhat Is a Trope in Writing and Literature? Rhetorical DevicesChiasmus: Definition and Examples Rhetorical DevicesLitotes: Definition and Examples of This Literary Device Rhetorical DevicesAppeal to Ignorance Fallacy: Definition and...
Alliteration (also called initial rhyme or head rhyme) is a literary device in which the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of adjacent or nearby words. Alliteration is often used in poetry, song lyrics, prose, and even speeches. Alliteration is often created by repeating the sa...