What Are Literary Devices: The Essential Guide [With Examples & Tips]

Literary devices are techniques that writers use to express their ideas and enhance their writing.

Many writers have a clear understanding of the material and content they want to convey, but they may not be certain about how to do so.

When writing, many authors use literary devices as a means to tie their ideas together or make them more relatable to others.

Literary devices can also help the writer add depth and clarity to their work, by incorporating emotion and meaning into their prose.

Let’s jump right in!

What Are Literary Devices?

Literary devices are tools a writer uses to create meaning, emotion, and interest. They are not “book words.”

They provide ways for writers think or speak—via wordplay, rhythm, and repetition in their own lexicon.

Using literary devices is like seasoning food: it heightens flavor and makes works more interesting.

Every author uses literary devices. Literary devices are special words or phrases that create specific effects or feelings.

You’ve read books and stories before, and you can recognize these phrases when you encounter them.

Sometimes, literary devices can make a story more interesting or exciting.

They can grab your attention or help you understand characters better. A good book should have a few dramatic moments that make the best parts of a story.

Some common literary devices include:

   

• hyperbole,
• metaphors,
• personification,
• and more!

Literary devices are techniques that writers use to create a special and pointed effect in their writing, to convey information, or to help readers understand their writing on a deeper level.

They can also be used to persuade readers, just as persuasive language is used.

Examples Of Literary Devices

Here are some examples of literary devices.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds used especially in poetry to emphasize and link words as well as to create pleasing musical sounds.

Hyperbole

An extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, such as “to wait an eternity.”

Irony

The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of something.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly: figurative language — compare simile.

Basic Types Of Literary Devices

There are many literary devices that make a piece of writing much more interesting to read.

It is good for one to understand the purpose of using these literary devices and also have a good grasp of how they are used in different types of writing.

Literary devices are the techniques and strategies used by authors to persuade their audience. There is a variety of literary devices, each of which has a specific function for the author.

These tools can be characterized broadly as being either linear or nonlinear.

Linear devices include repetition, cause and effect, and chronological order.

Nonlinear devices include juxtaposition, motifs, assonance and dissonance, oxymorons, and irony.

Common literary devices found throughout various types of literature are described below in an enthusiastic tone.

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All forms of writing rely on literary devices. What is a literary device? A literary device is anything used to create a piece of writing that isn’t purely communication.

Some examples are simile, metaphor, hyperbole and onomatopoeia.

   

Literary Devices Famous Authors Use Most Often

Literary devices are tricks authors use to entertain, engage, influence and even manipulate their audiences. It is my belief these types of techniques are essential for every author to master. I’m sure you noticed I mentioned “every author.”

That’s because every author should make it a point to develop these abilities.

Even if the author is not writing text-heavy pieces such as arguments, editorials or essays, literary devices can still be used in much the same way artists employ color.

Used correctly, literary devices will add that extra zing to an otherwise dull expression.

These devices are used to give their stories, poems and plays the special qualities that make them distinctive and memorable, but it’s important to remember that just because an author uses one of these devices, it doesn’t mean their work is any good.

Did you know writers often use literary devices in their works?

Literary devices, also called literary techniques, are ways of using words that grab a reader’s attention and help create different feelings while they’re reading a book.

In this overview of the most common literary devices you’ll find some tips to use them correctly.

What Are Literary Device Examples?

 Literary devices are tools writers use to bring their stories and poetry to life. These tools can be found in most fiction books.

Writers use rhyme for rhythm and meter, dialogue for personality, figurative language for setting and mood, foreshadowing for suspense, and similes and metaphors for images.

These types of devices can be employed by authors, both experienced and inexperienced, in order to achieve mastery over the craft.

Every poem or novel employs a wide range of literary devices, but there are very many that tend to be used all the time in novels and poems across the board.

By learning these literary devices, you will start to notice them being used more often in your own writing and can use them on purpose to create a great piece of work.

Literary devices are methods that writers use to enhance readers’ understanding of a given text. These tools, sometimes referred to as literary techniques, are the elements that are used to present the plot, theme and characters to create a particular mood.

How Do You Identify A Literary Device?

How do you identify a literary device?

Start with the basic literary devices: plot, theme, characterization, and point of view. Point of view allows us to see the story through the eyes of a particular character.

It gives us insight into how each person involved in the plot thinks and feels. Literary devices can be found in every type of writing style, from song lyrics to epic poetry.

Before you can identify the literary device of a text, you must first understand the purpose of the given story. By understanding the author’s intention it will be easier to identify literary devices.

While some authors may not want their work to be associated with literary devices, often times authors will use them for comedic or technical purposes.

Literary Devices And Terms

A succinct book that defines the most common literary devices and terms a new or struggling writer might come in handy in order to broaden their knowledge, skill level and ability to succeed.

It mixes the traditional approach with contemporary techniques and lays out every possible definition you’d need in a clear and concise way.

Using fantastic examples from popular films, this book covers all the essential literary terms an aspiring writer needs to know to succeed.

Literary devices and terms are extravagant, imaginative, and emotionally evocative tools in literature that contribute to the content in a very essential way.

Drama is generated by a conflict. In addition, it is the job of literary devices and terms to create as well as evoke emotions.

Drama can be defined as a situation that contains a problem or an opposition between two conflicting forces.

This ebook has all the literary devices, terminology, and early Greek and Roman history you need to answer test questions in English class.

It’s an effective reference guide to help you understand terms like “colloquialism,” “malapropism,” and “metonymy.” 

If a character in a novel says to another, “Rise from your grave!” this book will tell you that it’s an example of hyperbole.

Literary devices we will cover are metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoiea, alliteration, paradox, sarcasm and idioms.

Use these literary devices to help you understand other books.

Literary Devices vs. Literary Elements vs. Literary Techniques

A literary element is an identifiable part of a literary work and describes something that can be found in any work of literature, such as main characters, setting and plot.

Literary elements are independent of any style or device used by the author to create the fiction. On the other hand, a literary device is a prop used by the author to create.

How To Use Literary Devices In Your Writing

Common literary devices include alliteration, metaphor, simile, symbolism, onomatopoeia – yes, even that one – imagery and personification. Although these terms sound complicated, there really is nothing to be worried about when using them.

Are you in need of inspiration beyond what your imagination and ideas can bring to your writing? If so, literary devices might be a great help for you.

 All literary devices help make writing more interesting by adding symbolism, imagery, conflict, irony, and more. By using more than one of these devices in a single piece of writing it can greatly enhance the piece. 

How To Use Literary Devices In Your Screenwriting

Literary devices aren’t just for literature. They are a valuable tool for filmmakers to elevate scripts and make them more thought-provoking.

Whether you want to take your storyline apart like an English teacher or make it more subtle, literary devices can be used in movies to enhance the telling of classic stories, or be used as a weapon by new voices in the film industry.

Screenplays are long documents, but with the proper use of literary devices, you can make your script more unique and interesting for potential readers.

By incorporating literary devices into your scripts, you’ll be able to create a well-structured story that stands out from other scripts so agents and producers will be eager to read it.

Do you want to make your writing more believable? Do you want your characters to come alive on the page? Enter literary devices.

Literary devices are not just for English teachers (though we aren’t ashamed to admit that we’ve been known to make cute cocktail napkin notes explaining a literary device or seven).

In actuality, literary devices are a way of turning up the volume on our characters’ emotions and motivations, by using other worldly means. Not only does it add depth to your character, it also makes them more memorable.