literary devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. Below is a list of literary devices with detailed definition and examples.
Literary devices are especially common in novels, where writers need to use flashbacks, foreshadowing, or figurative language to keep the reader enthralled. But most nonfiction doesn’t need literary devices to be effective. As an Author, your goal is to explain how your knowledge can solve a reader’s problems in a clear, concise manner.
Start with this list of 100 literary devices, with plenty of examples of literary devices from popular stories. reedsy blog. Connect. ... because the first clause, “I ran to the store,” is a complete sentence, while the rest tells us extra information about your run to the store. Example: “It was a large bottle of gin Albert Cousins had ...
List of literary terms M to Z (part 2) 21- Conceit. A conceit is form of extended metaphor or an intricate comparison between two different things that spreads over numerous lines or even the whole work. This literary device is frequently used in poetry to create striking and imaginative imagery. ... Quatrains express a complete thought or idea ...
Have fun, write interesting literary devices, and try to incorporate them into a future poem or story! 3. Analogy. An analogy is an argumentative comparison: it compares two unalike things to advance an argument. Specifically, it argues that two things have equal weight, whether that weight be emotional, philosophical, or even literal.
Find a comprehensive list of literary devices and terms with explanations and examples on LitCharts. Browse the alphabetical index from acrostic to zeugma, or search by category, genre, or form.
Presenting you with the ultimate list of literary devices, complete with definitions and examples, to help you master the art of writing! What Are Literary Devices? A literary device is a technique that writers use to enhance, add depth to, and evoke emotions in their writing. These tools encompass a range of stylistic and structural elements ...
Explore Literary Devices: Definitions & Examples. Learn techniques writers use to convey messages, create effects, and evoke emotions in readers.
Two Kinds of Literary Devices. Literary Devices have two aspects. They can be treated as either Literary Elements or Literary Techniques. It will be convenient to define them separately. Literary Elements have an inherent existence in literary piece and are extensively employed by writers to develop a literary piece e.g. plot, setting ...
Literary device. Definition. allegory. a literary work in which the characters and events represent particular qualities or ideas relating to morals, politics or religion ... a pair of consecutive lines of poetry that create a complete thought or idea. denotation. the literal meaning or dictionary definition of a word. denouement. the ...
When it comes to literary devices, this one is a heavy hitter. Unlike juxtaposition, metaphors help us make sense of things by comparing the common characteristics of two disconnected things. reedsy.com Where beautiful books come to life Page 5 of 7 Motif A recurring element that develops the theme
Literary devices are the building blocks of storytelling. They help transform ordinary writing into something memorable, giving readers a richer experience. Whether it’s a novel, poem, or play, literary devices are what bring the text to life. Writers use these techniques to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and add layers to their narratives.
Literary Devices (A to Z List) Bildungsroman. Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the personal growth and development of a protagonist, usually from childhood to adulthood. ... In literature, an ellipsis is used to indicate the omission of a word or words, which are unnecessary to convey a complete thought. It’s usually ...
A literary device is a technique or tool writers use to enhance their writing, convey meaning, or evoke emotion through stylistic and structural choices.; Some of the most common literary devices are metaphors, which compare two things to convey a deeper meaning; symbolism, where objects represent abstract concepts; foreshadowing, which hints at future events; alliteration, the repetition of ...
The Definitive Guide to Literary Devices. Welcome to the wondrous world of literary devices! Here, we will dive deep into the realm of language and explore the many weapons in a writer’s arsenal. From metaphor to alliteration, personification to hyperbole, we’ve got it all.
Metaphor & Simile. This is one of the most popular literary devices and one you probably learned about in school. With a metaphor, you essentially call one thing something else even if, literally speaking, the two are not equivalent.. A simile is a type of metaphor that uses the word “like” or “as” to soften the connection between the two objects compared.
If “literary devices” sounds like a throwback to something you slept through in your English Lit 101 class, you’re not alone. Maybe breaking down the finer points of metaphor, perspective, and juxtaposition sounds like a fast track to sucking all the fun out of actually enjoying creative writing.. On the other hand, it might surprise you to learn that these literary devices are present ...
Literary Devices | List & Examples. Published on April 13, 2024 by Kassiani Nikolopoulou, MSc Revised on April 29, 2025 Literary devices are the techniques and strategies authors use to enrich their writing and take it beyond the literal meaning of words. They serve various purposes and can operate at the sentence level or even permeate an entire literary work.
The doppelganger is usually similar in appearance and sometimes also in personality, but with a significant difference that highlights the contrasting traits of the two characters. This literary device is often used to create tension or suspense in a story, as the doppelganger may be a harbinger of danger or foreshadow a character’s downfall.
