Literary Devices | List & Examples
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. Common literary devices include metaphors, similes, and irony.
What are literary devices?
Literary devices refer to the creative tools writers use to elevate their works above ordinary writing.
When used effectively, literary devices add depth, beauty, and emotional resonance to literary works. Writers typically employ several devices simultaneously. However, some literary devices are more common in certain forms of writing. For example, we are more likely to encounter assonance or alliteration in poetry than in prose.
Although we can still enjoy a work of literature without actively recognizing a malapropism or examples of personification, understanding literary devices is crucial. It allows us to appreciate the depth and complexity of a text, maximizing our overall comprehension and enjoyment of the writing.
Literary devices list
Here is a list of some common literary devices with definitions and examples.
Literary device | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|
Alliteration | Repetition of the initial consonant sound in nearby words | Three thin tigers throbbed through the thicket. |
Metaphor | An implicit comparison between two dissimilar things | Laughter is the best medicine. |
Imagery | Descriptive language that appeals to the reader’s senses | A blanket of sparkling white snow covered the mountains. |
Foreshadowing | Hinting at things that will happen later in a story to create anticipation | A violent thunder blasts as the protagonist arrives at a run-down mansion. |
Euphemism | Replacing a harsh or offensive word with a milder one | They were all let go. [they were all fired] |
Allusion | A passing reference to a well-known person, event, or literary work | Ice cream is my Achilles’ heel. |
Point of view | The perspective from which a story is told | The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! is a retelling of the story from the wolf’s point of view. |
Irony | A contradiction between the apparent and underlying meaning of words or situations | A police station getting broken into. |
Simile | An explicit comparison between two dissimilar things using “like” or “as” | She is like a rainbow. |
Satire | Using humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize flaws in human behavior and society | South Park is a satire of American life and culture. |
Juxtaposition | Placing two elements side by side for comparison or contrast | A juxtaposition of virtue and vice. |
Caesura | A break or pause in a line of poetry (indicated by the symbols //) | “To be, // or not to be // — that is the question” |
Hyperbole | Deliberate exaggeration for comic or rhetorical effect | I’ve seen this move a hundred times. |
Paradox | A statement or situation that seems illogical at first and yet makes sense | The enemy of my enemy is my friend. |
Literary devices examples
Literary devices encompass a wide range of elements and techniques. Some operate at word level and help create multiple interpretations or vivid imagery. Others refer to stylistic elements that shape an entire story.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound in a series of nearby words (e.g., “slithering snake”). This is used to create a rhythmic effect, add emphasis, or make a phrase more memorable. Alliteration is commonly used in the names of cartoon and comic characters (e.g., “the Green Goblin,” “Doctor Doom,” “Peter Parker”).
Metaphor
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two dissimilar things, typically by stating that one thing is another.
Imagery
Imagery is the use of figurative language to appeal to the reader’s senses. It involves detailed descriptions of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, and it is used to create a specific mood or atmosphere in a literary work. It also refers to recurring types of images, such as food or nature imagery.
Allegory
An allegory is a narrative in which abstract concepts, such as good, evil, or death, have become characters, places, or other elements in the story. The purpose of an allegory is usually to convey a deeper meaning or impart a moral lesson.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing occurs when the author hints at future events before they happen. These hints can be revealed with varying degrees of subtlety, but the future is never fully disclosed.
Euphemism
Euphemism is a mild or indirect word or phrase that replaces one that could be considered harsh or unpleasant. Euphemisms are often used in the context of delicate or sensitive topics, like death, sex, or social taboos, to avoid causing discomfort.
Flashback
A flashback is an interruption in the chronological sequence of events to show readers a scene from an earlier time. It is a technique used to provide important background information or reveal meaningful details about the characters and the plot.
Allusion
An allusion is a reference, typically brief and indirect, to a person, event, or other literary work that the reader is expected to recognize. Through allusions, writers can condense layers of meaning and significance into a single word or expression.
Point of view
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told, and it determines who is telling the story to whom. For example, a story might be told in first person (“I,” “me,” “we”), second person (“you”), or third person (“it,” “they,” “she,” “he”). It is also possible to shift throughout the story.
For example, in A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the story is told from the point of view of Dr. Watson in a first-person narrative, as in most Sherlock Holmes stories.
Irony
Irony is a literary device in which a statement or situation has the opposite meaning of what it seems. Writers use irony in a variety of ways, including in dialogue or when describing a situation to highlight a contrast between appearance or expectation and reality.
Simile
A simile is an explicit comparison between two dissimilar things such that their comparability seems unlikely. Similes contain the words “like” or “as,” which differentiates them from metaphors.
Satire
Satire is a technique writers use to criticize the shortcomings and flaws of individuals, institutions, or society at large. Although satire is humorous, its goal is to create awareness and bring about change.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is the placement of contrasting ideas, images, or characters side by side to encourage readers to consider the relationships between them. It is often used in literature to create contrast or highlight a theme.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is the use of exaggerated language to emphasize a point or add humor to a situation. It involves extravagant statements or descriptions that are obviously untrue.
Paradox
A paradox is a seemingly impossible situation or statement that appears self-contradictory at first yet reveals a deeper truth or meaning.
Frequently asked questions about literary devices
- What is the difference between literary devices and rhetorical devices?
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Literary devices and rhetorical devices are closely related, but they differ in their purpose and use:
- Literary devices encompass a broad category of artistic techniques that writers use to enhance their writing, adding interest and depth. For example, devices like irony or metaphor and narrative styles like first-person point of view fall under this category.
- Rhetorical devices, on the other hand, are techniques used to persuade and evoke emotion. Examples include metonymy, appeal to emotion, and understatement. Although these can be used as literary devices, we often encounter them in various forms of communication, such as speeches, advertisements, and debates where their primary role is to influence decision-making.
In short, literary devices are used to enrich a narrative, whereas rhetorical devices are more focused on persuasion and emotional appeal. However, literary and rhetorical devices sometimes overlap (e.g., irony).
- What is the difference between literary devices and figures of speech?
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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.