#8

Tone and mood are essentially the culmination of all the aformentioned literary devices. Tone and mood are in themselves a literary device that sums up the attitudes toward the subjects involved in the piece. Tone can drastically alter the meaning of a literary work as a viable tone can be sarcasm. Tone in Hamlet is very solemn and pensive and that is reflected very much through Hamlets delibrative actions.

#7

Diction refers to the writer or speaker's distinctive word choices and writing style in either a piece of literature. Diction can also refer to the ennunciation created by a certain pattern of words, i.e. alliteration. Diction, simply stated, is why an author or speaker chooses one word when there are direct synonyms to choose from. Diction has great affect over meaning and as few as one word can drastically change the meaning of an entire line or even a poem. In Pride & Prejudice, the more uneducated characters were made to speak in a less sophisticated or pleasing manner; Mr. Collins is a prime example of this.

#6

Imagery is the usage of details and descriptions in order to create a sensory experience for the reader. Imagery can come in the form of a physical description but also emotions. Imagery does not only refer to visual images but all the senses. Smells, sounds, tastes, and touches are all conveyed through poetic imagery. Imagery is not limited in scope and can refer to any form of sense or emotion. Imagery is central to most poetry and in some pieces is even the focus of the work.

#5

The way a poem reads has profound impact on its perceived meaning. Alliteration is the most common sound device and can really be used for almost any purpose depending on the repeated syllable. Sibilance is a form of alliteration and is a prime example of the influence a sound device can have over the meaning of a poem. The repeated s sound of sibilance can be meant to soothe or seem sinister. Inversion can place inflection on a different part of the sentence, completely changing the meaning. Caesura also can impact the feel of a poem. The full stop can lead to intentionally clunky stanzas but also just slow down the speed at which the poem can be read. Sound devices are a great way to add to the depth of a poem without making a piece too wordy and inorganic.