From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Understand more, faster. Free!

Our approach makes literature accessible to everyone, from students at every level to teachers and book club readers.

Literary devices and terms are the techniques and elements—from figures of speech to narrative devices to poetic meters—that writers use to create narrative literature, poetry, speeches, or any …

While Aristotle defined the term logos with public speaking in mind, there are many examples of logos in literature. Generally, logos appears in literature when characters argue or attempt to convince one …

In literature, paradoxes can create humor, express the confusion or frustration of a seeming impossibility, or make clear the absurdity of an unexpected situation.

Allegory in Literature Allegory is one of the oldest literary forms, with writers long relying on allegory's ability to convey a moral or political message efficiently and discreetly.

Imagery Definition What is imagery? Here’s a quick and simple definition: Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from …

Why Do Writers Use Personification? Writers use personification to create memorable images with language, allowing readers to experience works of literature more vividly. Depending on the text, …

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book or play.