What is the difference between literary devices and figures of speech?

Literary devices and figures of speech are both techniques used in writing and speaking; however, they serve different purposes and are used in different ways.

  • Literary devices are techniques or tools that a writer uses to create a specific effect or convey a certain meaning. These devices include elements of language, structure, style, and narrative technique.
  • Figures of speech, on the other hand, are a subset of literary devices. They primarily involve the use of language in non-literal ways. Examples of figures of speech include metaphors, synecdoche, and consonance.

In short, while all figures of speech are literary devices, not all literary devices are figures of speech because literary devices encompass a broader range of techniques.