Procédés littéraires de base

Simile (Comparaison)

Uses as … as or like to compare two things.

• He is as brave as a lion. → courageux comme un lion
• She runs like the wind. → elle court comme le vent

Metaphor (Métaphore)

Says one thing is another — no like or as.

• Life is a journey. → la vie est un voyage
• The world is a stage. → le monde est une scène

Comment les distinguer

• as … as ou like → simile
• Pas de like / as, les deux choses sont dites identiques → metaphor

Personification (Personnification)

Giving human qualities to something non-human.

• The wind whispered through the trees. → le vent a murmuré à travers les arbres
• The sun smiled down on us. → le soleil nous a souri

Hyperbole (Hyperbole)

An obvious, impossible exaggeration for effect — not meant literally.

• I've told you a million times! → Je te l'ai dit un million de fois !
• I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. → J'ai tellement faim que je pourrais manger un cheval.

Comment les repérer

• Qualité humaine donnée à un objet/animal → personification
• Exagération évidente et impossible → hyperbole

Why writers use literary devices

• Simile (as brave as a lion) → helps the reader picture and feel the character's strength
• Metaphor (life is a journey) → creates a deep image, makes the reader think
• Personification (the wind whispered) → makes the scene feel alive, creates atmosphere
• Hyperbole (I could eat a horse) → adds humour or intensity, strengthens the emotion

How to explain an effect

1. Name the device
2. Say what it compares or describes
3. Explain how it makes the reader feel or what idea it creates

Exemple : "The metaphor 'life is a journey' suggests that life has different paths and challenges, which makes the reader reflect on their own choices."