This document provides information about three literary devices: exaggeration, irony, and symbolism. It defines each device and provides examples. Exaggeration involves overstating or overemphasizing something for emphasis or humor. Irony involves a contrast between expectations and reality, or a difference between surface and intended meaning. Symbolism uses symbols to represent deeper ideas, where an object takes on a meaning beyond its literal sense.

1. LESSONTWO:
LITERARY DEVICES
Irony and Symbolism

2. EXAGGERATION
■ Exaggeration (also known as hyperbole) is a way of purposely over-
emphasizing (or over- exaggerating) something, either making it
better or worse than it really is.
■ It is used for emphasis or as a way of making a description more
creative and humorous.
■ It can be used to communicate the importance of something, to
create a lasting impression, or to evoke stronger feelings than
otherwise
■ It is important to note that hyperbole is not meant to be taken
literally; the audience knows it’s an exaggeration.
■ To learn about the types of exaggeration visit: Literary Devices,
Terms and Elements- Exaggeration

3. Examples of Exaggeration
■ “It’s been ages since I last saw you.” You may not have met him
for three or four hours, or a day, but the use of the word “ages”
exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your wait.
■ Your suitcase weighs a ton! A suite case might weigh a lot but it
is impossible to weigh a ton…l only if you really have a very huge
suite case.
■ I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. This example of hyperbole
exaggerates the condition of hunger to emphasize that the
subject of this sentence is, in fact, very hungry.This person has no
intention of literally eating a horse but is trying
to figuratively communicate his hunger using a hyperbole for
effect.
■ Can you think of any exaggeration you have heard before

5. Irony
■ Irony refers to playing around with words such that the meaning
implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal
meaning.
■ In irony words are used in such a way that their intended meaning
is different from the actual meaning of the words.
■ It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way
than what is generally anticipated.
■ Is a contrast between expectations for a situation and what is
reality.This can be a difference between the surface meaning of
something that is said and the underlying meaning. It can also be
a difference between what might be expected to happen and
what actually occurs.
■ To learn about the different types of Irony visit: Literary Devices,
Terms, and Elements: Irony

6. Example of Irony
■ In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, we know well before the
characters that they are going to die. In real life circumstances,
irony may be comical, bitter, or sometimes unbearably
offensive. (Dramatic Irony, see types of Irony)
■ “Oh! What fine luck I have!”.The sentence on the surface
conveys that the speaker is happy with their luck but actually
what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and
dissatisfied with their (bad) luck. (Verbal Irony, see types of
Irony)
■ A weatherman getting caught in a rainstorm is ironic,
because he's supposed to know the forecast ahead of time and
be prepared.
■ Can you think of any other Irony you have heard before

8. Symbolism
■ Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by
giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal
sense.
■ Authors use symbolism to tie certain things that may initially seem
unimportant to more universal themes.The symbols then represent
these grander ideas or qualities.
■ Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is an object
representing another, to give an entirely different meaning that is
much deeper and more significant. Sometimes, however, an action, an
event or a word spoken by someone may have a symbolic value
■ To learn about the different types of Irony visit: Literary Devices,
Terms, and Elements: Irony

9. Example of Symbolism
■ “Smile” is a symbol of friendship. Similarly, the action of
someone smiling at you may stand as a symbol of the
feeling of affection which that person has for you.
■ Symbols do shift their meanings depending on
the context they are used in. “A chain,” for example, may
stand for “union” as well as “imprisonment”.Thus,
symbolic meaning of an object or an action is understood
by when, where, and how it is used.
■ For more Examples and their explanation visit:
https://literarydevices.net/symbolism/
■ Can you think of any other Irony you have heard before