How to Learn the Literary Devices
Literary devices are the tools writers use to create effect — metaphors, similes, personification and more. Spotting and naming them is core to English literature exams. This deck pairs each device with a clear definition and example.
There are 12 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the literary devices is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The classic confusion is metaphor vs simile (a simile uses "like" or "as"; a metaphor says one thing IS another). Examples pinned to each device clear it up fast.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the literary devices
- Break it into small batches. Learn the comparison devices first (metaphor, simile, personification), then the sound devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia), then the rest.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. For exams, always name the device AND explain its effect — that is where the marks are.
The full deck: the Literary Devices
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Device | Definition (example) |
|---|---|
| What is a metaphor? | Saying one thing IS another ("time is money") |
| What is a simile? | A comparison using "like" or "as" ("brave as a lion") |
| What is personification? | Giving human qualities to non-human things ("the wind whispered") |
| What is alliteration? | Repeating initial consonant sounds ("Peter Piper picked") |
| What is hyperbole? | Deliberate exaggeration ("I've told you a million times") |
| What is onomatopoeia? | A word that imitates a sound (buzz, splash, bang) |
| What is an oxymoron? | Two contradictory words together ("deafening silence") |
| What is irony? | A contrast between expectation and reality |
| What is foreshadowing? | Hints early in a story about what will happen later |
| What is symbolism? | Using an object or image to represent a bigger idea |
| What is imagery? | Descriptive language that appeals to the senses |
| What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile? | A simile uses "like" or "as"; a metaphor does not |
Save this deck and actually remember it
Create a free account, keep this 12-card deck, and we'll schedule every review at the perfect moment. First deck free forever — no credit card.
Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the literary devices
How long does it take to learn the literary devices?
Most people can lock in the literary devices within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–12 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the literary devices?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 12 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.