Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
English
AP English Literature
English
Dec 7, 2025
178
5 pages
Sri @study._.tofu
Literary devices are powerful tools that authors use to create meaning, evoke emotion, and enhance their writing. Understanding... Show more
Ever wonder what a story is really trying to tell you? That's where theme comes in—it's the deeper message or lesson about life that the author wants to share. The topic is simply what the story is literally about. For example, Avatar's topic is blue people versus humans, but its theme explores how corporations shouldn't exploit cultures for material gain.
Symbolism uses concrete objects to represent abstract ideas. The heart symbolizes love, while the ocean often represents change. Remember that symbols are usually physical things—not the abstract concept itself. In "The Red Badge of Courage," courage isn't the symbol; blood is.
Writers also create specific feelings through tone (the author's attitude toward the subject), mood (the feeling created in the reader), and diction (the author's word choices). These elements work together to shape how you experience the text.
Try This! Pick your favorite movie and identify both its topic (what happens) and its theme (what message it conveys). Can you spot any symbols the filmmaker uses?
Figurative language helps writers paint vivid pictures in your mind. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things—like when a song says "the sun was playing hide and seek" or when an Oreo commercial calls it "milk's favorite cookie." This technique makes ordinary things feel alive!
Writers use hyperbole when they exaggerate for effect—"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" or "I will die if she asks me to dance." Its opposite, understatement, deliberately downplays something serious "It's just a tiny brain tumor" or "It's the end of the world and I feel fine."
When comparing things, authors use either similes or metaphors. Similes use "like" or "as" ("Your voice is like nails on a chalkboard"), while metaphors make direct comparisons ("My heart's a stereo"). Both help you understand unfamiliar concepts through familiar ones.
Imagery appeals to your senses, making you feel like you're experiencing what's described. When you read about "broken bottles under children's feet" or the "choo-k-choo-k" rhythm of a train, your brain creates these sensations even though you're just reading words on a page.
Remember Good imagery makes you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste what the author is describing—it's like creating a movie in your mind!
Writers love to reference other works through allusions. When a song says "I've got the moves like Jagger" or someone describes a competition as "David vs. Goliath," they're connecting to cultural knowledge you already have. These references add layers of meaning without lengthy explanations.
Synecdoche uses a part to represent the whole or vice versa. When you hear "all hands on deck," you know it means all sailors, not just their hands. Similarly, saying "the law won" refers to police officers or the legal system, not just the rules themselves.
Have you ever groaned at a joke that plays with words? That's a pun! "I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger. And then it hit me" works because "hit me" has two meanings. Puns use words with multiple meanings or similar sounds to create humor.
Word choice affects how we experience literature. As poet Nikki Giovanni said, "Words are illustrations of thoughts." The right word can create the perfect image, making your writing more powerful and memorable.
Fun Challenge Create your own pun using a word with multiple meanings. Share it with a friend and see if they laugh (or groan)!
Words don't just have meaning—they have sound! Onomatopoeia uses words that sound like what they describe buzz, zap, hiss, or boom. These words bring sounds directly into your reading experience.
Alliteration repeats beginning consonant sounds in nearby words, like "sick of psychotic society" or "the soul selects her own society." This technique creates rhythm and emphasizes key ideas. You'll find it everywhere from poetry to advertising slogans.
While alliteration focuses on beginning sounds, assonance repeats vowel sounds ("fought the law and the law won") and consonance repeats consonant sounds within or at the end of words ("Whether Jew or Gentile, I rank top percentile"). These subtle sound patterns make language more musical and memorable.
End rhyme occurs at the end of lines, like in Sam Smith's "stand/man/plan/hand" lyrics. It's the most familiar rhyming pattern we learn. But writers also use internal rhyme within single lines "I lost my fake ID but you lost the motel key." Both create rhythm that makes language more engaging.
Sound Check Next time you listen to your favorite song, try to identify the sound devices. Most popular music uses rhyme, but you'll also find alliteration, assonance, and other techniques that make lyrics stick in your head!
Internal rhyme creates musical patterns within a single line of text. When Green Day sings "Your faith walks on broken glass and the hangover doesn't pass," the rhyme between "glass" and "pass" happens inside one line, creating a satisfying sound connection.
This technique appears frequently in poetry and music. Edgar Allan Poe's famous line "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary" uses internal rhyme with "dreary" and "weary" to create a haunting, melodic quality. These sound patterns make lines more memorable and pleasing to the ear.
Unlike end rhymes that occur at line breaks, internal rhymes can appear anywhere within the line. This flexibility allows writers to create unexpected sound patterns that surprise and delight readers. Next time you're reading a poem or listening to music, watch for these hidden sound connections!
Try Writing Create a sentence with internal rhyme about something that happened today. For example "The math test made my brain strain, but I maintain I did okay."
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
22
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Sri
@study._.tofu
Literary devices are powerful tools that authors use to create meaning, evoke emotion, and enhance their writing. Understanding these devices helps you analyze literature more deeply and recognize how writers craft their messages beyond just the surface-level plot.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wonder what a story is really trying to tell you? That's where theme comes in—it's the deeper message or lesson about life that the author wants to share. The topic is simply what the story is literally about. For example, Avatar's topic is blue people versus humans, but its theme explores how corporations shouldn't exploit cultures for material gain.
Symbolism uses concrete objects to represent abstract ideas. The heart symbolizes love, while the ocean often represents change. Remember that symbols are usually physical things—not the abstract concept itself. In "The Red Badge of Courage," courage isn't the symbol; blood is.
Writers also create specific feelings through tone (the author's attitude toward the subject), mood (the feeling created in the reader), and diction (the author's word choices). These elements work together to shape how you experience the text.
Try This! Pick your favorite movie and identify both its topic (what happens) and its theme (what message it conveys). Can you spot any symbols the filmmaker uses?
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Figurative language helps writers paint vivid pictures in your mind. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things—like when a song says "the sun was playing hide and seek" or when an Oreo commercial calls it "milk's favorite cookie." This technique makes ordinary things feel alive!
Writers use hyperbole when they exaggerate for effect—"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" or "I will die if she asks me to dance." Its opposite, understatement, deliberately downplays something serious: "It's just a tiny brain tumor" or "It's the end of the world and I feel fine."
When comparing things, authors use either similes or metaphors. Similes use "like" or "as" ("Your voice is like nails on a chalkboard"), while metaphors make direct comparisons ("My heart's a stereo"). Both help you understand unfamiliar concepts through familiar ones.
Imagery appeals to your senses, making you feel like you're experiencing what's described. When you read about "broken bottles under children's feet" or the "choo-k-choo-k" rhythm of a train, your brain creates these sensations even though you're just reading words on a page.
Remember: Good imagery makes you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste what the author is describing—it's like creating a movie in your mind!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Writers love to reference other works through allusions. When a song says "I've got the moves like Jagger" or someone describes a competition as "David vs. Goliath," they're connecting to cultural knowledge you already have. These references add layers of meaning without lengthy explanations.
Synecdoche uses a part to represent the whole or vice versa. When you hear "all hands on deck," you know it means all sailors, not just their hands. Similarly, saying "the law won" refers to police officers or the legal system, not just the rules themselves.
Have you ever groaned at a joke that plays with words? That's a pun! "I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger. And then it hit me" works because "hit me" has two meanings. Puns use words with multiple meanings or similar sounds to create humor.
Word choice affects how we experience literature. As poet Nikki Giovanni said, "Words are illustrations of thoughts." The right word can create the perfect image, making your writing more powerful and memorable.
Fun Challenge: Create your own pun using a word with multiple meanings. Share it with a friend and see if they laugh (or groan)!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Words don't just have meaning—they have sound! Onomatopoeia uses words that sound like what they describe: buzz, zap, hiss, or boom. These words bring sounds directly into your reading experience.
Alliteration repeats beginning consonant sounds in nearby words, like "sick of psychotic society" or "the soul selects her own society." This technique creates rhythm and emphasizes key ideas. You'll find it everywhere from poetry to advertising slogans.
While alliteration focuses on beginning sounds, assonance repeats vowel sounds ("fought the law and the law won") and consonance repeats consonant sounds within or at the end of words ("Whether Jew or Gentile, I rank top percentile"). These subtle sound patterns make language more musical and memorable.
End rhyme occurs at the end of lines, like in Sam Smith's "stand/man/plan/hand" lyrics. It's the most familiar rhyming pattern we learn. But writers also use internal rhyme within single lines: "I lost my fake ID but you lost the motel key." Both create rhythm that makes language more engaging.
Sound Check: Next time you listen to your favorite song, try to identify the sound devices. Most popular music uses rhyme, but you'll also find alliteration, assonance, and other techniques that make lyrics stick in your head!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Internal rhyme creates musical patterns within a single line of text. When Green Day sings "Your faith walks on broken glass and the hangover doesn't pass," the rhyme between "glass" and "pass" happens inside one line, creating a satisfying sound connection.
This technique appears frequently in poetry and music. Edgar Allan Poe's famous line "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary" uses internal rhyme with "dreary" and "weary" to create a haunting, melodic quality. These sound patterns make lines more memorable and pleasing to the ear.
Unlike end rhymes that occur at line breaks, internal rhymes can appear anywhere within the line. This flexibility allows writers to create unexpected sound patterns that surprise and delight readers. Next time you're reading a poem or listening to music, watch for these hidden sound connections!
Try Writing: Create a sentence with internal rhyme about something that happened today. For example: "The math test made my brain strain, but I maintain I did okay."
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
22
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Algebra
Calculus 1
Algebra 1
Overige