The Ultimate Literary Devices List – 130 Definitions and Examples

Welcome to your literary devices toolkit! If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about the wizardry behind the curtain of your favorite books, you’ve come to the right place. Literary devices are the salt and pepper of writing, sprinkling flavor and complexity into works that might otherwise be as bland as diet water. 

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 that elevate the narrative. 

Common examples include metaphors, which draw comparisons to enrich descriptions; symbolism, where objects represent deeper meanings; and irony, which juxtaposes reality with expectations to add layers of complexity. Literary devices operate on both intellectual and emotional levels, enhancing the text’s readability and impact. They clarify themes, intensify emotional responses, and improve the rhythm and flow of prose.

The Difference Between Literary Techniques and Literary Elements

Literary elements and literary techniques both fall under the umbrella of literary devices, but they serve different functions in storytelling. 

• Literary elements are the foundational components of a story, such as theme, plot, and setting. These elements are like the canvas and structure of a painting, providing the essential framework and thematic backdrop where the story unfolds.

• Literary techniques are the tools and methods writers use to enhance their narratives and bring their stories to life. They include specific applications such as euphemisms, allusions, and imagery within sentences or passages. 

10 Most Common Literary Devices

Explore the 10 most common literary devices used by writers to enrich their storytelling and convey complex ideas with clarity and impact.

1. Metaphor: A metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting they are alike in a significant way without using “like” or “as.” This device helps to convey deeper meanings and enhance understaFnding through symbolic language.

2. Simile: A simile compares two different things by connecting them with “like” or “as,” making descriptions more vivid and relatable. It allows readers to visualize and grasp concepts by likening them to familiar images.

3. Alliteration: Alliteration involves the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in words close to each other in a sentence. It adds a rhythmic quality and can make phrases more memorable and pleasing to hear.

4. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is the use of extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect. It’s often employed for humor or to express strong emotions.

5. Personification: Personification gives human qualities to non-human elements, such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas. This enriches the text by creating deeper emotional connections and bringing inanimate aspects of a narrative to life.

6. Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate the natural sounds associated with actions or objects, such as “buzz,” “whisper,” or “clang.” This literary device enhances the reader’s sensory experience of the text.

7. Irony: Irony occurs when there is a discrepancy between expectations and reality, often what is said and what is meant, or between what happens and what was expected to happen. It can add layers of complexity and subtlety to the narrative.

8. Oxymoron: An oxymoron places two contradictory terms together, such as “deafening silence” or “bittersweet.” This juxtaposition can reveal deeper truths and provoke thought by highlighting the complexity of a subject.

9. Euphemism: Euphemism is the use of more gentle or vague expressions to replace harsh, offensive, or blunt terms. It helps to discuss sensitive topics without causing discomfort or offense.10. Symbolism: Symbolism involves using symbols—objects, characters, or colors—to represent larger ideas or concepts. It allows writers to imbue their works with layers of meaning beyond the literal, inviting readers to interpret deeper messages and themes.

Ulutimate Literary Devices List

Dive into our extensive A-Z list of over 100 literary devices, designed to enrich your understanding of how writers craft their narratives. 

For each device, we provide a detailed explanation, an example from well-known literature, and a practical exercise to help you apply what you’ve learned.

1. Allegory

An allegory is a narrative in which characters and events symbolically represent broader themes, ideas, or moral lessons. 

Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell uses farm animals and their rebellion to allegorically critique Stalinism and the Russian Revolution. 

Exercise: Write a short paragraph using allegory to comment on a contemporary issue.

2. Alliteration

Alliteration involves the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words. 

Example: “She sells sea-shells by the sea-shore” is a well-known tongue twister that uses alliteration. 

Exercise: Create a catchy slogan for a new product using alliteration.

3. Allusion

An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. 

Example: In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he alludes to the U.S. Declaration of Independence with the line, “Five score years ago…” 

Exercise: Write a short story that includes an allusion to a historical figure.

4. Anachronism

An anachronism occurs when something happens or is attributed to a different era than when it actually existed. 

Example: In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, characters mention clocks that strike, which were not present during Caesar’s time. 

Exercise: Write a scene where a modern object appears in a historical setting.

5. Anagram

An anagram is a form of wordplay in which the letters of a word or phrase are rearranged to create a new word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once. This can be used for emphasizing symbolism, hidden meanings, or simply for the fun of wordplay in literature. 

Example: In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, “Tom Marvolo Riddle” rearranges to “I am Lord Voldemort,” revealing the character’s true identity in a pivotal scene. 

Exercise: Create an anagram of a character’s name in a story you are writing, which should reveal something hidden or symbolic about their personality or destiny.

6. Analogy

An analogy is a comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Example: Saying that the brain is like a computer which inputs, processes, and outputs information. 

Exercise: Create an analogy to explain the internet to someone from the 19th century.

7. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. 

Example: In Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, the phrase “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” is an example of anaphora. 

Exercise: Write a poem or short piece using anaphora to emphasize a point.

8. Anecdote

An anecdote is a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. 

Example: During speeches, President Barack Obama often started with an anecdote about his personal experiences to connect with his audience. 

Exercise: Write an anecdote that could be used to kick off a presentation about learning from mistakes.

9. Antagonist

An antagonist is a character, or a group of characters, which stands in opposition to the protagonist, who is the main character. 

Example: In The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Sauron serves as the primary antagonist. His dark influence drives the conflict throughout the series, directly opposing Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship, who aim to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron’s tyranny.

Exercise: Write a short monologue from your antagonist’s perspective where they explain their motives. Focus on expressing their reasoning and the justification for opposing the protagonist.

10. Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism involves the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, particularly animals. 

Example: In “Winnie the Pooh” by A.A. Milne, animals talk and behave like humans. 

Exercise: Create a diary entry written by an anthropomorphic object in your home. Describe a day in its life, including its interactions with other objects and its thoughts on the activities happening around it.

11. Antithesis

Antithesis is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. It emphasizes the difference between two ideas and adds interest to writing by using parallel structures. 

Example: In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare employs antithesis effectively in the line spoken by Juliet: “My only love sprung from my only hate!” This line vividly captures the deep conflict at the heart of the play, showing the intense emotions and paradoxical nature of her love for Romeo, who is from the rival family.

Exercise: Write two sentences using antithesis to describe a character or setting in your story, showing contrasting qualities within the same framework.

12. Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is used to reinforce the meanings of words or to set the mood. 

Example: In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven, the line “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” vividly demonstrates assonance with the repeated “ur” sound. 

Exercise: Write a short poem or paragraph where you use assonance to enhance the mood or setting. Focus on a specific emotion or atmosphere you want to convey.

13. Bathos

Bathos is a literary device used to create an effect of anticlimax. It occurs when a serious, lofty, or sublime thought or narrative suddenly descends into the trivial or ludicrous. This shift can be intentional, to create humor or satire, or unintentional, resulting in poor writing.

Example: In Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a moment of bathos occurs when the supercomputer Deep Thought, after much buildup about answering the “Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything,” reveals that the answer is simply “42.” 

Exercise: Write a short scene in which a dramatic buildup leads to a humorously trivial or absurd resolution, effectively using bathos to create comedic contrast.

14. Bildungsroman

A Bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story, focusing on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood. 

Example: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee follows Scout Finch as she grows up in a racially divided Southern town, learning crucial life lessons about morality and justice. 

Exercise: Outline a short story about a young character’s transformation through a significant life event.

15. Blank Verse

Blank verse is a type of poetry that doesn’t rhyme but still has a regular rhythm, typically iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables, usually divided into five pairs, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one.

Example: In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth’s line, “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,” is written in blank verse. It follows the rhythmic pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables without rhyming.

Exercise: Try writing a few lines about your morning routine in blank verse. Aim for ten syllables per line, with every second syllable stressed, but don’t worry about rhyming the ends of the lines. This will help you practice the rhythm of blank verse while describing something familiar.

16. Brevity

Brevity involves concise and exact use of words in writing or speech, often used to make a stronger impact with fewer words. 

Example: In The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, the simple yet profound statement, “Okay? Okay.” shared between the two main characters becomes a recurring motif. This brief exchange encapsulates their deep connection and mutual understanding with minimal words, demonstrating how brevity can convey powerful emotions and complex relationships effectively.

Exercise: Write a poignant character goodbye using only one sentence. Choose your words carefully to convey deep emotions and the significance of the farewell with as few words as possible.

17. Caesura

Caesura refers to a pause in the middle of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation or a natural speech pause. It is used to create dramatic or rhythmic effects. 

Example: In T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, the line 

“April is the cruellest month, breeding // Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing”

uses a caesura marked by the double slash (//), which is interpreted here as a strong pause in the reading. This pause separates thoughts and adds a dramatic effect, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of spring bringing life from death.

Exercise: Write a short poem where each line contains a caesura that breaks the line into two contrasting or complementary parts. Use punctuation like commas, dashes, or ellipses to indicate the pause and enhance the poem’s emotional or descriptive depth.

18. Catharsis

Catharsis is the emotional release a viewer or reader experiences after being exposed to dramatic events in art or literature, leading to a sense of purification or renewal. 

Example: In Good Will Hunting, the cathartic moment arrives when Will emotionally breaks down after his therapist, Sean, insists, “It’s not your fault.” This scene allows both Will and the audience to release built-up emotional tension.

Exercise: Write a brief scene where a character faces and overcomes a longstanding personal dilemma, leading to a powerful, cathartic resolution. Aim to convey the emotional transition succinctly.

19. Chiasmus

Chiasmus is a rhetorical device where two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures. It is used for emphasis or to make a memorable statement. 

Example: In John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, the famous phrase “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” is an example of chiasmus. 

Exercise: Craft a speech or dialogue that includes a chiasmus to emphasize a pivotal moment or argument.

20. Cliché

A cliché is a phrase, opinion, or other elements that have been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, becoming unoriginal or trite. 

Example: Phrases like “only time will tell” and “in the nick of time” are clichés often found in casual conversation and writing. 

Exercise: Write a paragraph describing a dramatic event, deliberately avoiding clichés to maintain originality and impact.

21. Colloquialism

Colloquialism refers to the use of informal words or phrases in writing and speech, typically specific to a particular geographical region or social group. This device helps convey a sense of realism, approachability, and local flavor in dialogue or narration. 

Example: Mark Twain extensively uses colloquialisms in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to reflect the speech patterns of the setting, such as “ain’t,” “gonna,” and “reckon.” 

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters from different regions, using colloquialisms to highlight their cultural backgrounds and personalities.

22. Climax

The climax is the point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point. It is often the moment of greatest danger or decision that leads to the resolution. 

Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the climax occurs when Gatsby confronts Tom Buchanan at the Plaza Hotel about his love for Daisy. This intense confrontation brings all the underlying tensions between the characters to a head, leading to the unraveling of Gatsby’s dreams and setting the stage for the tragic events that follow. 

Exercise: Develop an outline for a short story that clearly marks the build-up to and resolution of the climax, ensuring it is the turning point of your narrative.

23. Denouement

Denouement is the final part of a narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved. It follows the climax and leads to the closure of the story.

Example: In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the denouement occurs when all misunderstandings are cleared up, and the characters’ fates are sealed, especially in the marriages of Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley. 

Exercise:  Imagine a novel or movie you know well. Write a brief denouement that could follow the climax, summarizing how each main character’s story is concluded. Focus on resolving any lingering conflicts and explaining the final state of the characters’ relationships and circumstances. 

24. Deus Ex Machina

Deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence. It often feels like a contrived introduction of a character or event. 

Example: In War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, the Martian invasion is abruptly ended by the bacteria in the Earth’s atmosphere, to which the Martians have no immunity. 

Exercise: Write a brief scene where a character is stuck in a difficult situation, like being locked out of their house. Suddenly, someone they didn’t expect (like a neighbor they rarely talk to) walks by and offers exactly what’s needed, like a spare key or a way to break in safely. Reflect on how plausible this solution feels.

25. Dialect

Dialect involves the use of a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group. This can add authenticity to characters and settings.

Example: In Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the narrative is rich with the dialects of African American communities in the Southern United States. 

Exercise: Create a short dialogue using a dialect you are familiar with, focusing on making the speech patterns and expressions as authentic as possible.

26. Dialogue

Dialogue is a written conversational exchange between two or more characters. It is a way to advance the plot and develop characters while providing a break from exposition. 

Example: Much of the character development and plot progression in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is revealed through Holden Caulfield’s dialogues with other characters. 

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters where their true intentions or feelings are revealed through their conversation.

Fun Fact: Anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, is one of the oldest literary devices and has been used extensively in both ancient religious texts and famous speeches

27. Diction

Diction refers to the choice of words and style of expression that an author makes and uses in a work of literature. This can influence the tone and readability of the text. 

Example: In The Road by Cormac McCarthy, the author’s choice of sparse, precise diction reflects the bleakness and barren landscape of the post-apocalyptic world. 

Exercise: Choose a setting (e.g., a joyful wedding or a somber funeral) and write a descriptive paragraph using diction that matches the mood of the event.

28. Dystopia

Dystopia is a literary device used to explore social and political structures in a dark, nightmare world. It is often used to represent a society that is an antithesis to a utopian society, highlighting the flaws and failings of human societies through exaggerated worst-case scenarios. 

Example: 1984 by George Orwell is a quintessential dystopian novel that depicts a totalitarian society obsessed with control, featuring pervasive government surveillance and public manipulation. 

Exercise: Imagine a future where a current social trend has evolved into a negative extreme. Write a brief outline of a story set in this dystopian world, describing its impact on the daily life of your protagonist.

29. Elegy

An elegy is a mournful, melancholic, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead. 

Example: In Memoriam by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is an elegy that reflects the poet’s grief and mourning over the death of his close friend Arthur Hallam. 

Exercise: Write an elegy for a fictional character who has impacted you as if they were a real person, focusing on the emotions and memories associated with them.

30. Enjambment

Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break in poetry without a major pause or punctuation, often creating a sense of unexpected continuation. 

Example: The use of enjambment in Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken helps to maintain the flow and rhythm of the narrative. 

Exercise: Craft a poem about a journey using enjambment to enhance the sense of ongoing movement and the progression of thoughts.

31. Epilogue

An epilogue is a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened. 

Example: The epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling gives readers a glimpse into the lives of the main characters years after the main events of the series have concluded. 

Exercise: Write an epilogue for a novel you have read, imagining where the characters might be five years after the story ends.

32. Epiphany

An epiphany is a moment in which a character achieves realization, knowledge, or clarity, often resulting from a commonplace action or thought. 

Example: In Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, the protagonist experiences an epiphany while sitting quietly in an Indian ashram, where she comes to understand the nature of forgiveness and self-acceptance. This realization empowers her to move forward in her journey with a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth.

Exercise: Describe a moment when someone might have an epiphany during a routine activity, such as taking a morning walk or cleaning their home. Explain how this simple moment leads to a profound change in their understanding of a personal issue or life in general.

33. Euphemism

A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. 

Example: The use of “passed away” instead of “died” is a common euphemism to soften the harsh reality of death. 

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters discussing a sensitive topic, using euphemisms to navigate the conversation delicately.

34. Exposition

Exposition is a literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters, or other elements of a work to the audience or readers. 

Example: The opening crawl of Star Wars, which sets up the galactic context and backstory, is a classic example of exposition. 

Exercise: Write an opening paragraph for a story that introduces the main conflict and background without overwhelming the reader with information.

35. Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. It often appears at the beginning of a story or a chapter and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events. 

Example: In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo’s expression of a dream he had about an untimely death foreshadows the tragic ending. 

Exercise: Write a scene in a short story where you subtly foreshadow a major plot twist using dialogue or a descriptive narrative.

36. Flashback

A flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. This is often used to provide more background information to the audience about the characters or plot. 

Example: In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the protagonist Amir reflects on his childhood in Afghanistan, particularly a kite-fighting tournament that leads to a pivotal moment of betrayal. These flashbacks not only provide insight into Amir’s guilt and motivations but also set the stage for his eventual quest for redemption.

Exercise: Think of a formative experience from your own life or imagine one for a character. Write a short story that starts with a current dilemma or decision, and then use a flashback to explore a past event that significantly influences the character’s present situation.

37. Figurative Language

Figurative language uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful. Figures of speech like metaphors, similes, and allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to give readers new insights. 

Example: In Beloved by Toni Morrison, the line “124 was spiteful. Full of a baby’s venom.” uses personification to imbue the house with human characteristics and emotions, setting a haunting, tense atmosphere right from the beginning. This figurative language helps convey the emotional residues and the traumatic past that the characters, and the house itself, are unable to leave behind.

Exercise: Compose a paragraph about a bustling city market, employing various types of figurative language such as metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole to bring the scene to life. Aim to convey the chaos and vibrancy of the market through your vivid descriptions.

38. Flat Character

A flat character is a type of character in fiction that does not change too much from the start of the narrative to its end. Flat characters are often said not to have any emotional depths. 

Example: In many fairy tales, characters like the evil stepmother or the kind prince are flat characters, as they show no complex motives or changes. 

Exercise: Create a short sketch of a flat character who plays a crucial role in a story due to their unchanging nature.

39. Frame Story

A frame story is a literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative or for a set of shorter stories. 

Example: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, where the primary tale involves pilgrims telling other stories along their journey. 

Exercise: Write an outline for a frame story where the main narrative sets the scene for a deeper, more involved second story.

40. Free Verse

Free verse is a literary device that can be defined as poetry that is free from limitations of regular meter or rhythm and does not rhyme with fixed forms. 

Example: Much of Walt Whitman’s poetry, such as Leaves of Grass, is written in free verse, which employs a rhythmic, natural flow without following a particular rhyme scheme. 

Exercise: Compose a short poem in free verse, focusing on natural rhythms and intuitive line breaks to convey emotion or atmosphere.

41. Genre

Genre is a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. In literature, common genres include mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy. 

Example: Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a vivid example of the fantasy genre. The novel features a young protagonist, Tristran Thorn, who ventures into the magical land of Faerie to capture a fallen star for his beloved. This enchanting tale is filled with witches, magical spells, and fantastical creatures, embodying the classic elements of a quest and adventure in a richly imagined fantasy world.

Exercise: Write a short story outline that clearly fits within a specific genre of your choice, incorporating key elements that define that genre.

42. Gothic

Gothic literature is characterized by elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic elements such as nature, individuality, and very high emotion. 

Example: Dracula by Bram Stoker is a seminal work in the Gothic literature genre, featuring elements such as a mysterious castle, supernatural occurrences, and a sense of brooding doom. 

Exercise: Create a scene that incorporates typical Gothic elements, such as a setting in an old, eerie mansion during a stormy night.

43. Grotesque

Grotesque in literature refers to the use of bizarre, absurd, or unnatural combinations that can be both frightening and amusing. It often involves creating tension between empathy and disgust. 

Example: In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, the transformation of the main character into a grotesque bug is both disturbing and evocative, drawing a deep emotional response from the reader. 

Exercise: Write a character description that combines elements of the grotesque, making them both sympathetic and repulsive.

44. Grisly

Grisly describes something particularly horrifying, ghastly, or shocking, typically related to death or injury. It is often used to evoke a strong sensory response from the reader. 

Example: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe includes grisly descriptions of the narrator dismembering a body, aimed at creating horror and suspense. 

Exercise: Write a paragraph describing a grisly scene in a way that heightens the tension and evokes a visceral reaction from the reader.

45. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally but are used for emphasis or dramatic effect. 

Example: In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the statement “dead as a doornail” is used to emphasize the undeniable death of Marley. 

Exercise: Write a short story or a scene using hyperbole to exaggerate a character’s reaction to an everyday event.

46. Hubris

Hubris refers to excessive pride or self-confidence which usually leads to a downfall in classical and modern literature. 

Example: In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’s hubris leads him to defy the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, which ultimately results in his tragic downfall. 

Exercise: Develop a character outline that exhibits hubris and outline a plot showing how this trait leads to their downfall.

47. Homophone

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same as another word but differ in meaning, and sometimes spelling. 

Example: In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the use of “son/sun” in the lines spoken by King Claudius to Hamlet, “But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son,” and Hamlet’s response, “A little more than kin, and less than kind,” play on the words son and sun. 

Exercise: Create a list of homophones and write sentences that use them to create puns or misunderstandings in dialogue.

48. Hyperbaton

Hyperbaton involves an alteration of the logical order of words in a sentence, or the placement of words in unusual order for emphasis or poetic effect. 

Example: In Star Wars, Yoda often uses hyperbaton as a part of his distinctive speech pattern, such as in the phrase, “Patience you must have, my young Padawan.” 

Exercise: Write a short poem or a dialogue for a character using hyperbaton to reflect their unique style of speech or to emphasize a particular point.

49. Haiku

Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, often focusing on images from nature. 

Example: Matsuo Bashō’s famous haiku: 

An old silent pond / 

A frog jumps into the pond— / 

Splash! Silence again. 

Exercise: Compose a haiku that captures a moment in nature, using sensory language to convey the scene vividly.

50. Imagery

Imagery involves the use of descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures in the minds of the readers, appealing to their senses to intensify their experience. 

Example: In Robert Frost’s poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, the imagery of snow-covered woods and dark, silent night creates a serene and contemplative mood. 

Exercise: Write a descriptive paragraph about a beach scene, using imagery to engage all five senses.

51. Irony

Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning of words is different from the actual meaning, or a situation results in an outcome that is opposite from what was expected. 

Example: In the film Fight Club by David Fincher, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, it’s revealed that the seemingly independent characters of Tyler Durden and the narrator are actually the same person. This twist is ironic because the narrator, who struggles with his mundane life, creates an alter ego to escape it, only to find that his other self takes over his life in ways he never intended.

Exercise: Write a short paragraph where a character plans a surprise party for a friend who secretly dislikes surprise parties. Describe the friend’s reaction when the surprise is revealed, showcasing the irony of the situation.

52. Internal Rhyme

Internal rhyme occurs when a word in the middle of a line rhymes with a word at the end of the same metrical line. 

Example: In the song Lose Yourself by Eminem, the lines 

“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy / There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti” 

showcase internal rhyme with the words “sweaty,” “heavy,” “already,” and “spaghetti,” adding a rhythmic and memorable flow to the lyrics.

Exercise: Write a short couplet (two lines of verse) that includes internal rhyme, focusing on creating a catchy and rhythmic sound. Choose a simple theme, like describing a sunset or a busy street, to keep the focus on the rhyme technique..

Pro Tip: Foreshadowing is a powerful tool for building suspense and expectation. Plant subtle hints early in your story that point to future events or outcomes. This keeps readers engaged, trying to piece together the clues you’ve scattered throughout the narrative.

53. Inversion

Inversion involves the reversal of the normal word order in a sentence, often for emphasis or to maintain a particular meter or rhyme scheme in poetry. 

Example: In The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, the poet uses inversion in the line, “And sorry I could not travel both.” A more typical sentence structure would be, “And I was sorry that I could not travel both.” This inversion emphasizes the speaker’s regret and contemplation, highlighting the theme of choice and the impact of decisions in life.

Exercise: Write a single sentence using inversion to describe a sunset. For example, instead of saying “The sunset painted the sky,” you might write, “Painted was the sky by the sunset.” 

54. In Media Res

In media res is a narrative technique where a story starts in the middle of action, rather than at the beginning. This can create suspense or capture the audience’s interest more quickly. 

Example: Homer’s The Odyssey begins in media res, starting with Odysseus’s journey well underway and recounting prior events through flashbacks and stories. 

Exercise: Write the opening scene of a novel or short story that starts in media res, dropping readers directly into a crucial or dramatic moment.

55. Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, or actions are placed side by side in the narrative for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts. 

Example: In Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, the author uses juxtaposition by placing the seemingly perfect marriage of Nick and Amy Dunne against the backdrop of their deeply flawed, deceitful, and manipulative personalities. This sharp contrast is revealed through alternating first-person narratives, which expose the stark differences between public perception and private reality, intensifying the suspense and drama of the unfolding mystery.

Exercise: Write a scene that juxtaposes two contrasting elements, such as hope and despair, within the same setting to highlight their differences.

56. Jargon

Jargon refers to specialized or technical language that is used by a particular group and is difficult for others outside that group to understand. 

Example: In Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park, characters use scientific jargon related to genetics and paleontology, which adds authenticity to the story but also isolates lay readers. 

Exercise: Create a short dialogue between experts in a field using jargon. Then, write a layperson’s reaction to this conversation, highlighting their confusion or misunderstanding.

57. Jingle

Jingle is a catchy, rhythmic phrase or verse, especially one used in advertising. 

Example: The famous Kit-Kat candy bar jingle, “Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar,” employs a rhythmic, repetitive structure to make the slogan memorable. 

Exercise: Create a jingle for a fictional product that you think could benefit from a catchy, rhythmic advertisement.

58. Juvenilia

Juvenilia are works produced by an author or artist while still young and inexperienced. These works often give insight into the development of the creator’s mature style. 

Example: Jane Austen’s early stories, written in her teens and compiled as “Juvenilia,” display the burgeoning wit and insight into human behavior that characterize her later novels. 

Exercise: Reflect on your own early works (writing, drawings, etc.). Write a brief analysis of how your early efforts have influenced your current creative style.

59. Kenning

A kenning is a two-word phrase in Old English, Old Norse, and Germanic poetry that describes an object through metaphors. A kenning typically combines two words to create an evocative and indirect expression in place of a single, more concrete noun. 

Example: In Beowulf, the sea is often referred to as the “whale-road,” indicating both the domain of whales and the medium of travel. 

Exercise: Create three kennings for modern-day items or concepts, such as a computer or a car.

60. Kishōtenketsu

Kishōtenketsu is a four-part narrative structure that originated in Chinese and Japanese literature, which includes introduction, development, twist, and reconciliation, without necessarily involving conflict. 

Example: Many traditional Japanese folktales follow this structure, such as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, where a narrative twist changes the direction of the story without a central conflict. 

Exercise: Write a short story using the Kishōtenketsu structure, focusing on creating a twist that shifts the reader’s perspective without relying on conflict.

61. Katachresis

Katachresis is a literary device that involves the use of a word in a way that is not correct, often combining words that don’t logically fit together. It can be used for dramatic effect or to create a unique expression. 

Example: In the television series Breaking Bad, Walter White uses the phrase “I am the one who knocks!” This phrase is a katachresis, as traditionally, a person would say they are answering the door, not that they are the one knocking. This inversion of expectations creates a powerful, memorable line that emphasizes Walter’s transformation from a passive character to an active, menacing force.

Exercise: Create a short sentence using katachresis by misapplying a word in a familiar phrase, such as “I will eat the sun,” to describe feeling overwhelmingly happy. Aim for an expression that is striking and thought-provoking.

62. Litotes

Litotes is a figure of speech that employs understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, a positive statement expressed by negating its opposite expressions. It is often used for emphasis or to express modesty. 

Example: In saying “She’s not unlike her mother,” the speaker uses litotes to subtly suggest that she is very much like her mother. 

Exercise: Write a description of a character using litotes to subtly highlight their virtues or flaws without directly stating them.

63. Leitmotif

A leitmotif is a recurring theme, subject, or idea in literary composition, often symbolizing a particular character, emotion, or situation. Although originally a musical term, it’s applicable in literary analysis. 

Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock is a leitmotif that represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future. 

Exercise: Identify a leitmotif in a novel you like and write a paragraph on how it contributes to the overall theme of the story.

64. Lampoon

Lampoon is a sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution. It is a form of humorous criticism used to ridicule or mock. 

Example: A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift lampoons British policy towards the Irish in its outrageous suggestion that impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food to rich gentlemen and ladies. 

Exercise: Write a short satirical piece lampooning a modern societal issue, using hyperbole and irony to highlight absurdities.

65. Limerick

A limerick is a humorous form of poetry consisting of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed couplet. 

Example: The popular limerick “There once was a man from Nantucket” is an example of this form, often used for comedic effect. 

Exercise: Compose a limerick about a peculiar character or funny situation.

66. Logos

Logos is a rhetorical device that appeals to logic and reason, often used in argumentative writing and persuasive speeches to convince an audience by logical thought. 

Example: In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he uses logos to argue logically and methodically against the criticisms of the clergymen, citing legal and moral grounds. 

Exercise: Write a persuasive paragraph about a controversial issue using logos to support your argument.

67. Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated subjects without using “like” or “as,” implying that one thing is another to highlight their similarities. 

Example: In the song Firework by Katy Perry, she uses the metaphor “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind?” to compare a feeling of aimlessness and fragility to a plastic bag blown about by the wind. This powerful imagery helps listeners visualize and emotionally connect with the sense of being lost or overlooked.

Exercise: Describe your morning routine using a metaphor for each major activity. For example, compare pouring a cup of coffee to filling a reservoir of energy, or equate stepping into the shower with stepping under a waterfall of rejuvenation. Aim for simplicity and clarity in your comparisons.

68. Motif

A motif is a recurring symbol, theme, or character type that appears in a literary work, which contributes to the development of the theme or mood. 

Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird is a motif representing innocence and purity that should not be harmed. 

Exercise: Identify a motif in a book you have recently read and write a paragraph explaining how it contributes to the story’s theme.

69. Monologue

A monologue is a long speech by one character in a play or story, usually expressing their thoughts aloud or directly addressing other characters or the audience. 

Example: In the film Silver Linings Playbook, Pat, played by Bradley Cooper, delivers a heartfelt monologue during a therapy session where he talks about his philosophy of looking for the “silver linings” in life. He expresses his determination to rebuild his life and reconcile with his ex-wife, despite his ongoing struggles with bipolar disorder. This monologue showcases his vulnerability, hope, and the complex emotions he navigates as he tries to find positivity amid his challenges.

Exercise: Write a monologue from the perspective of a character who has just experienced a major personal setback. Have them articulate their plan to overcome this setback, reflecting on the lessons they’ve learned and the strength they hope to draw from the experience. Focus on capturing their resilience and determination.

70. Malapropism

Malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect. 

Example: In The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Mrs. Malaprop famously misuses words, such as saying “illiterate him quite from your memory” instead of “obliterate.” 

Exercise: Create a dialogue for a comedic scene where a character frequently uses malapropisms, affecting communication with humorous results.

71. Metonymy

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept. 

Example: Referring to the business world as “Wall Street” is an example of metonymy, as Wall Street is a street in New York known for being the epicenter of the U.S. financial industry. 

Exercise: Write a short story paragraph where you use metonymy to indirectly describe the setting or the characters’ professions.

72. Narrative Hook

A narrative hook is an opening statement or action used to grab the reader’s attention and ensure they keep reading. 

Example: In Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, the novel opens with a disquieting scene where Nick Dunne describes the back of his wife Amy’s head and imagines cracking it open, pondering the inner workings of her mind. This chilling introduction sets the tone for a psychological thriller filled with twists and deceit, instantly engaging the reader’s curiosity about their relationship and what might unfold.

Exercise: Write an opening sentence for a novel that introduces an intriguing scenario or character to hook readers right away.

73. Non Sequitur

A non sequitur is a conversational and literary device that includes statements, sayings, and conclusions that do not follow the fundamental principles of logic and reason. 

Example: In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, many of the conversations are full of non sequiturs that contribute to the whimsical and surreal feel of the book. 

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters where one consistently uses non sequiturs, creating a humorous or confusing exchange.

74. Nemesis

Nemesis refers to a character’s inevitable downfall, which is the direct result of a flaw in their character, often manifesting as fate that cannot be escaped.

Example: In the story of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus’s nemesis is his fate to kill his father and marry his mother, a destiny that unfolds despite all efforts to avoid it. 

Exercise: Develop a character outline that includes a nemesis based on their fatal flaw, and outline how this leads to their downfall in a short story.

75. Neologism

Neologism involves the creation of new words or expressions, often to describe something that does not have a precise term in the existing language. 

Example: In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, many neologisms such as “soma” and “hypnopaedia” are used to describe new concepts related to the futuristic setting. 

Exercise: Invent five neologisms for future technologies or societal trends, and define them in the context of a story set 100 years in the future.

76. Narrative Poem

A narrative poem tells a story through verse and includes elements like character development, a setting, and a plot. 

Example: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man mourning the loss of his love, Lenore, and his descent into madness. 

Exercise: Write a short narrative poem that tells a complete story, focusing on a central conflict and its resolution.

77. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes. 

Example: “Buzz,” “hiss,” or “clang” are all examples of onomatopoeia, creating aural effects that mimic their meanings. 

Exercise: Write a scene where the sounds described using onomatopoeia play a key role in setting the atmosphere or mood.

78. Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings, such as “cruel kindness” or “living death.” 

Example: The phrase “deafening silence” is an oxymoron that describes a silence so profound, it seems to echo. 

Exercise: Write a poem or a short paragraph using multiple oxymorons to enhance the descriptive imagery.

Fun Fact: Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely connected words, was originally used in poetry to help bards remember their lines. This technique not only enhances the musical quality of language but also aids memory, making it a favorite in brand names and tongue twisters today.

79. Overstatement

Overstatement is a type of exaggeration used to emphasize a point or to add humor. It is more hyperbolic and less subtle than hyperbole. 

Example: In the animated TV show Rick and Morty, Rick often uses overstatement for comedic effect, such as claiming, “I’m gonna need you to take your opinion and shove it way up inside your butt.” This exaggerated statement amplifies the humor and underscores Rick’s dismissive and eccentric personality.

Exercise: Write a brief product review for something mundane, like a pencil, using overstatement to humorously amplify its ordinary features.

80. Objective Correlative

The objective correlative is a term coined by T.S. Eliot to describe a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion; such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked. 

Example: In the film Inception directed by Christopher Nolan, the spinning top serves as an objective correlative throughout the movie. The top represents the protagonist’s, Dom Cobb’s, struggle with discerning reality from dreams. Whenever he spins it, viewers are prompted to question whether Cobb is in the real world or still trapped in a dream layer, mirroring his own doubts and fears.

Exercise: Describe a scene in which a character uses a specific item—like a watch, a photograph, or a piece of jewelry—as a way to gauge their feelings about a significant life change. Explain how this item symbolizes the character’s internal conflict or emotional state.

81. Ode

An ode is a form of poetry such as sonnet or elegy, etc. Ode is a literary technique that is lyrical in nature, but not very lengthy. You have often read odes in which poets praise people, natural scenes, and abstract ideas. 

Example: Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats, where Keats uses the structure of an ode to meditate on the nature of beauty and truth. 

Exercise: Compose an ode to something mundane, elevating it with lyrical language and detailed observation.

82. Paradox

A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself or seems to contradict itself yet might include a latent truth. 

Example: “I must be cruel to be kind,” from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” is a paradox that highlights the complexity of human motivations and actions. 

Exercise: Write a character’s monologue that includes a paradox to reveal their internal conflict and complex nature.

83. Personification

Personification involves giving human characteristics to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. 

Example: In Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the wind is described as a “Destroyer and preserver,” embodying it with powers and intentions. 

Exercise: Write a short poem where nature elements are personified, each depicting different human emotions.

84. Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is a type of personification where emotions are attributed to aspects of nature, such as the weather reflecting the mood of a character or the overall atmosphere of the scene. 

Example: In Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, the stormy weather often mirrors the tumultuous relationships and emotional turmoil of the characters. 

Exercise: Describe a scene in a story where the weather or environment directly reflects the protagonist’s mood or the emotional tone of the situation.

85. Periphrasis

Periphrasis is the use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of expression. This device can add a descriptive quality or be used humorously to extend a point.

Example: Instead of saying “the war,” an author might use periphrasis by describing it as “the conflict that tested our nation’s resolve.”

Exercise: Write a short paragraph describing a simple activity, such as making a cup of tea, using periphrasis to elaborate on each step humorously or dramatically.

86. Parallelism

Parallelism involves using elements in sentences that are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning, or meter. This enhances coherence and can add emphasis or organization to the written work. 

Example: In Barack Obama’s inaugural speech, he uses parallelism effectively to emphasize unity and collective action: “We will remember that whatever the challenges of our time, we are stronger than they are. We are stronger than the steel we forge, stronger than the problems we face, stronger than the adversaries we encounter.” This repeated use of “stronger than” not only reinforces the resilience of the nation but also rhythmically binds the message, enhancing its impact and memorability.

Exercise: Write two sentences in your current project where parallelism is used to reinforce a contrast or comparison.

87. Pun

A pun is a play on words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar-sounding words having different meanings. 

Example: In a bakery, a sign might read: “Donut worry, be happy!” This pun plays on the similarity in sound between “donut” and “do not,” using the name of a popular bakery item to create a humorous twist on the well-known phrase “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Exercise: Create a dialogue filled with puns that play on the characters’ current situations or professions.

88. Protagonist

The protagonist is the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other literary work. The protagonist is often considered the hero of the story and is usually the focal point for the audience. 

Example: Elizabeth Bennet, as the protagonist in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, drives the main narrative as she navigates her feelings and societal expectations. 

Exercise: Sketch a brief outline of a story focusing on the protagonist’s journey that challenges their beliefs and changes them fundamentally by the end.

89. Portmanteau

A portmanteau is a linguistic blend of words in which parts of multiple words or their sounds are combined into a new word. This literary device is used to create new terms that capture the essence of the concepts they describe in a succinct manner. 

Example: “Brunch” is a portmanteau of “breakfast” and “lunch,” and it perfectly captures a meal that combines elements of both. In literature, Lewis Carroll famously used portmanteaus in “Through the Looking-Glass,” where he combined “slithy” (lithe and slimy) and “mimsy” (miserable and flimsy) in the poem “Jabberwocky.” 

Exercise: Create five new portmanteau words by combining words that describe elements of a futuristic world you imagine. Describe what each new word represents in that world.

90. Quatrain

A quatrain is a stanza of four lines, especially one having alternate rhymes. 

Example: In Shakespeare’s sonnet format, the poems are often structured with three quatrains followed by a final couplet, like in Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” 

Exercise: Write a quatrain about a changing season, using an ABAB rhyme scheme.

91. Quest

A quest is a plot device in literature where a character embarks on a journey or set of tasks to achieve something of great importance. 

Example: In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the protagonist, Santiago, embarks on a quest to find a treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt, as foretold in a recurring dream. This journey across continents serves as a metaphorical exploration of self-discovery and personal destiny.

Exercise: Outline a short story based on a quest. Define what the character is searching for, the challenges they will face, and what they learn on their journey.

92. Quibble

A quibble is a play on words or a pun, often used to create a legalistic or humorous effect in dialogue. 

Example: In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Alice frequently encounters quibbles during her conversations with the creatures in Wonderland. One notable instance is with the Cheshire Cat, when Alice asks which way she ought to go. The Cat responds, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” When Alice says it doesn’t much matter, the Cat quibbles, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” This playful exchange uses the ambiguity of directions and goals to create a humorous and bewildering conversation that plays on the meanings of the words.

Exercise: Write a dialogue where a character uses quibbles to avoid giving direct answers to another character’s questions.

93. Quintain

A quintain is a poem or stanza within a poem that consists of five lines. It can follow various rhyme schemes. 

Example: The Sicilian quintain is a form of quintain with a rhyme scheme of ABABB. 

Exercise: Write a quintain about a memorable event, experimenting with different rhyme schemes to find one that best suits your topic.

94. Rhyme

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs. 

Example: In the nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, the end rhymes create a melodic and memorable rhythm: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, / How I wonder what you are.” The words “star” and “are” rhyme, making the lines pleasing to the ear and easy for children to remember.

Exercise: Write a couplet using end rhymes that could be the closing lines of a poem about a sunset.

95. Rhetoric

Rhetoric refers to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, often using figures of speech and other compositional techniques. 

Example: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a masterful use of rhetorical techniques, including repetition, parallelism, and metaphor, to persuade and move the audience. 

Exercise: Draft a short persuasive speech on an issue you care about, using at least three different rhetorical devices.

96. Repetition

Repetition involves intentionally using a word or phrase two or more times in a speech or written work to make an idea clearer and more memorable.

Example: In Dr. Seuss’s book Green Eggs and Ham, repetition is employed extensively to create rhythm and reinforce the message. The phrases “I do not like them, Sam-I-Am” and “I do not like green eggs and ham” are repeated throughout the book, emphasizing the character’s initial refusal and eventual acceptance, which adds a playful tone and aids in teaching children about trying new things.

Exercise: Write a paragraph describing a place, using repetition to reinforce the central image or feeling of that location.

97. Red Herring

A red herring is a narrative element that misleads or distracts from the relevant or important issue. It is often used in mystery or thriller narratives to mislead readers or characters, or to induce them to make false conclusions. 

Example: In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, red herrings are often used to throw both the detective and the reader off the trail of the true culprit. 

Exercise: Write a mystery short story where the protagonist encounters a red herring that temporarily misleads their investigation.

98. Rhetorical Question

A rhetorical question is a question that is asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer. It’s often used in persuasive writing to encourage the reader to consider their perspective. 

Example: In the movie The Matrix, Morpheus asks Neo, “What if I told you that everything you knew was a lie?” This rhetorical question is used not for the sake of an answer but to challenge Neo’s (and the audience’s) perception of reality and to introduce the major themes of the film.

Exercise: Write a short interaction between two friends where one uses rhetorical questions to convince the other to try something new, like joining a class or taking a trip.

99. Simile

A simile is a powerful figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight resemblances. 

Example: In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield says, “It made me feel like I was sort of disappearing,” using a simile to describe his sense of isolation. 

Exercise: Write a paragraph describing a storm using at least three similes to vividly convey the intensity and movement of the weather. 

100. Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. 

Example: In The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Augustus keeps an unlit cigarette in his mouth as a symbol. He explains that it’s a metaphor for having the killing thing right between his teeth but not giving it the power to do its killing.

Exercise: Think of a simple household item, like a clock. Write a short paragraph where the clock symbolizes the passage of time in a character’s life, perhaps marking a period of change or waiting

101. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech where a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part. 

Example: Referring to workers as “hands” is a synecdoche that uses a part of the body to represent the people in their entirety. 

Exercise: Write a descriptive passage about a busy marketplace using synecdoche to detail different aspects of the scene.

102. Satire

Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. 

Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell is a satire that uses a farm’s dystopian animal society to critique the Soviet Union’s corruption and ideological hypocrisy. 

Exercise: Write a satirical news article about a current event, aiming to highlight and critique underlying societal issues.

103. Stream of Consciousness

Stream of consciousness is a method of narration that describes in words the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters.

Example: James Joyce’s Ulysses is known for its stream of consciousness narrative technique, which seeks to write in the way that the human mind actually thinks. 

Exercise: Write a short internal monologue from a character’s point of view using the stream of consciousness technique to explore their immediate reactions and feelings about an event.

104. Theme

Theme refers to the central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. It is the fundamental and often universal idea explored in a story. 

Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one of the themes is racial injustice, as the narrative explores the prejudice and legal inequities in the American South. 

Exercise: Identify the theme of a book you have recently read and write a paragraph explaining how the author develops this theme throughout the narrative.

Pro Tip: When using symbolism, make sure it enhances your narrative’s themes and reflects your characters’ journeys. This helps integrate symbols naturally into the story, deepening both the plot and character development effectively.

105. Tone

Tone is the attitude or approach that the author takes toward the work’s central theme or subject. Tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, or cheerful, or it may be any other existing attitude. 

Example: In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, the tone is straightforward and analytical, mirroring the protagonist Christopher’s perspective, who experiences the world from the vantage point of a young person with autism. 

Exercise: Write a short dialogue between two characters where the tone shifts from playful to serious, reflecting a change in the conversation’s direction.

106. Tragedy

Tragedy is a genre of story that tells about the downfall of a main character due to personal flaw or mistake, often resulting in emotional or physical destruction. 

Example: In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, the story is a tragedy centered around the protagonist Willy Loman, a salesman who is consumed by his pursuit of the American Dream. His tragic flaw is his delusional attachment to an idealized version of himself and his unrelenting drive for success, which ultimately leads to his mental breakdown and death. 

Exercise: Outline a short story that is structured as a tragedy, specifying the protagonist’s fatal flaw and the consequences it brings about.

107. Trope

In literature, a trope is the use of figurative language—for example, via metaphor, simile, hyperbole, or irony—to convey a concept or to deliver a rhetorical effect. 

Example:In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the trope of the “reluctant hero” is exemplified by Katniss Everdeen. Initially, Katniss has no desire to be a hero or a symbol of rebellion; she simply wants to protect her sister and survive. However, as the story progresses, her actions and decisions under extreme circumstances propel her into the role of the Mockingjay, a symbol of resistance and change for the oppressed people of Panem.

Exercise: Write a short passage in which a character uses a metaphor to describe their emotional state, a hyperbole to exaggerate a minor problem, and irony to comment on an unexpected situation.

108. Tautology

Tautology is a repetitive use of phrases or words which have similar meanings. It is considered a stylistic error, although it can be used effectively to emphasize a particular point. 

Example: The phrase “free gift” is a tautology because gifts are inherently free. 

Exercise: Create a character who habitually uses tautologies, either as a comic element or to illustrate a particular aspect of their personality.

109. Understatement

Understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important or serious than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect. 

Example: In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet dryly comments on Mrs. Bennet’s nerves, which she claims are her lifelong condition, by calling them his “old friends,” an understatement of her constant and dramatic complaints. 

Exercise: Write a dialogue in which a character uses understatement to downplay a dramatic situation, adding a touch of humor or irony.

110. Unreliable Narrator

An unreliable narrator is a narrator whose credibility is compromised or less than fully trustworthy. The reader is encouraged to question their version of events and to interpret layers of meaning. 

Example: In The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, the main character, Rachel, is an unreliable narrator due to her problems with alcoholism, which impair her memory. As she becomes involved in a missing person investigation, her blackouts and fragmented recollections lead the reader to question the accuracy of her narrative, creating a sense of suspense and mystery about what truly happened.

Exercise: Write a short story told from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. Provide subtle clues to the reader that the narrator’s perspective is not entirely accurate.

111. Utopia

Utopia is a term used to describe an imagined community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens, often used to explore themes of political and social structures. 

Example: In Utopia by Thomas More, the book presents an idealized island community as a contrast to the corrupt European societies of his time. 

Exercise: Describe your version of a utopian society, focusing on one or two social or political ideals that it upholds.

112. Universal Theme

Universal themes are ideas or messages that are found throughout the literature of all time periods and cultures. These themes resonate with a broad audience because they reflect fundamental human experiences and emotions. 

Example: Themes like love, war, revenge, and redemption are considered universal because they appear in diverse literary works across different cultures and historical eras. 

Exercise: Choose a universal theme and write a poem that explores this theme through personal or fictional experiences.

113. Up Lit

Up Lit refers to literature characterized by optimism, everyday heroism, and a focus on human connection and empathy, often leaving readers with a feeling of hope. 

Example: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is an example of Up Lit, where the protagonist’s journey towards healing and self-discovery ends on a hopeful note. 

Exercise: Write a short scene that embodies the spirit of Up Lit, emphasizing positive human connection and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

114. Verisimilitude

Verisimilitude is the appearance of being true or real in literary works. Writers use this device to make their stories believable and to help readers suspend their disbelief. 

Example: In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the detailed depiction of settings, dialects, and social customs of the American South adds verisimilitude to the novel. 

Exercise: Write a paragraph describing a character’s morning routine. Include specific details such as the sound of their alarm, the smell of coffee brewing, and the texture of their favorite breakfast food

115. Villanelle

A villanelle is a 19-line poetic form consisting of five tercets followed by a quatrain. The villanelle has a strict rhyme scheme and two refrains that appear in a prescribed pattern. 

Example: “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas is one of the most famous examples of a villanelle, known for its powerful emotional expressions about death and defiance. 

Exercise: Compose a villanelle on a subject of your choice, focusing on controlling the form’s complex structure to enhance the emotional power of your words.

116. Visual Imagery

Visual imagery involves the use of descriptive language to create pictures in the reader’s mind. It appeals primarily to the sense of sight and helps paint a picture of the scenes and characters. 

Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the lavish parties at Gatsby’s mansion are depicted with rich visual imagery, helping readers visualize the opulence and chaos. 

Exercise: Describe a bustling city street at sunset using visual imagery to bring the scene to life vividly.

117. Voice

In literature, voice refers to the format or style in which a narrator tells their story. This can include the choice of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc. 

Example: The unique voice of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is characterized by its colloquial, candid, and sometimes rambling style. 

Exercise: Write a first-person narrative that captures a distinctive voice, perhaps using specific linguistic quirks or attitudes that reflect the narrator’s unique perspective.

118. Volta

In poetry, particularly in sonnets, the volta is a rhetorical shift or dramatic change in thought and emotion. It usually occurs between the octave and the sestet in an Italian sonnet and is often signaled by words such as “but,” “yet,” or “however.” 

Example: In “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare, the volta occurs at the beginning of the third quatrain: “But thy eternal summer shall not fade.” 

Exercise: Write a sonnet that includes a volta, using this shift to introduce a new angle or insight into the poem’s initial theme.

119. Wit

Wit involves the clever expression of thought; whether through spoken or written form, wit is marked by its quickness and ability to deliver humorous or insightful comments with brevity and originality. 

Example: Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest is celebrated for its witty dialogue, such as when Lady Bracknell says, “To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” 

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters where they use wit to spar over a particular topic, such as marriage or education.

120. Whimsy

Whimsy refers to playful or fanciful behavior or humor. In literature, it’s often used to add a light-hearted, whimsical touch to stories that might otherwise be serious. 

Example: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is renowned for its whimsical tone and playful language, creating a fantastical world that delights readers. 

Exercise: Create a short story or a scene that uses whimsy to transform an ordinary setting into a magical and imaginative environment.

121. World-Building

World-building is the process of constructing an imaginary world, sometimes associated with a whole fictional universe. This device includes the setting, geography, history, mythology, and social norms of the world. 

Example: In A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, the world of Westeros and beyond is meticulously crafted with complex political systems, diverse cultures, and a rich history that includes detailed family lineages and mythologies. This depth creates a believable and immersive universe where the characters’ actions and the story’s events are deeply influenced by their environment.

Exercise: Outline the key elements of an imaginary world for a fantasy or science fiction story, focusing on aspects such as the political system, cultural norms, and the physical environment.

122. Wordplay

Wordplay is a literary technique and a form of wit in which the words used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. It includes puns, phonetic mix-ups such as spoonerisms, obscure words and meanings, clever rhetorical excursions, oddly formed sentences, and telling character names. 

Example: In Puns, by Ambrose Bierce, wordplay is used to create humor through multiple meanings of a single word or similar-sounding words. 

Exercise: Write a poem or a short piece of prose that incorporates multiple types of wordplay to entertain the reader.

123. Wry

Wry describes a form of humor or a particular tone in writing that is slightly sarcastic in a clever and humorous way. It often conveys a slightly mocking or cynical viewpoint. 

Example: Kurt Vonnegut often used a wry tone in his novels, such as in Slaughterhouse-Five, where he combines dark subject matter with a dry, humorous perspective. 

Exercise: Write a first-person narrative from the perspective of a character who views the world in a wry manner, focusing on their observations and reflections.

124. Xenia

Xenia is an ancient Greek concept of hospitality, especially as shown to those who are far from home. It can be used as a literary theme or motif, reflecting the importance and consequences of hospitality in various narratives. 

Example: In Homer’s The Odyssey, the theme of xenia is central. Odysseus receives different types of hospitality from Polyphemus, the Cyclops, and from King Alcinous and Queen Arete of the Phaeacians, which dramatically affect his journey. 

Exercise: Write a scene in a short story where a character’s fate changes significantly based on the type of hospitality they receive.

125. Xanadu

Xanadu, made famous by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan,” represents an idyllic and luxurious place. It can be used as a symbol of opulence and mystery in literature. 

Example: In Kubla Khan, Xanadu is described as a place of beauty and natural wonder, surrounded by walls and towers, encapsulating the romantic fascination with the exotic and the unknown. 

Exercise: Describe your version of a modern-day Xanadu, incorporating elements of both nature and human-made marvels to create a setting that evokes awe and wonder.

126. Yarn

In literary terms, a “yarn” is a long, rambling story that is often implausible, exaggerated, or adventurous. It’s typically used in a colloquial context, similar to a tall tale. 

Example: In Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, Ishmael often engages in the telling of yarns, which adds a colorful, exaggerated quality to the narrative. 

Exercise: Write a short yarn involving a comically exaggerated adventure that takes place in a familiar setting.

127. Yoking

Yoking in literature refers to the practice of bringing together two contrasting elements, whether they are themes, characters, or ideas, in a way that highlights their differences yet binds them in a meaningful relationship.

Example: In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are yoked together by the narrative despite their contrasting personalities and social statuses, which serves to explore themes of love, prejudice, and social standing. 

Exercise: Write a scene where two fundamentally different characters are yoked together by circumstances, and explore how their differences create tension and eventual understanding.

128. Yarn-Spinning

Yarn-spinning is the art of telling engaging and often fantastical stories. This device emphasizes the storyteller’s ability to captivate the audience with the narrative’s vividness and creativity. 

Example: In Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Charlotte the spider is a masterful yarn-spinner. She crafts words into her web to save her friend, Wilbur the pig, from being slaughtered. Her creative narratives about Wilbur being “Some Pig” and “Terrific” captivate and influence the humans around her, altering their perceptions and ultimately securing Wilbur’s safety.

Exercise: Design a character who is a gifted storyteller in a small village. This character uses their tales to solve a conflict or bring the community together.

129. Zeugma

Zeugma is a figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas. 

Example: In the phrase “He opened his mind and his wallet every time he went shopping,” the verb “opened” applies to both “mind” and “wallet,” creating a zeugma. 

Exercise: Write a sentence using zeugma that involves a character performing an action that applies to both a literal and a metaphorical object.

130. Zoomorphism

Zoomorphism is a literary technique in which animal attributes are imposed upon non-animal objects, humans, and events and vice versa. 

Example: In Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the animals in the lifeboat are used to represent human characteristics and complex aspects of survival and morality. 

Exercise: Describe a scene in which human characters are portrayed with animal characteristics to highlight their primal instincts or behaviors.

How to Use Different Literary Devices in Your Writing 

The key to effectively using literary devices in your writing is to incorporate them organically. Overloading your text with too many literary devices can overwhelm the reader and detract from your message, so it’s crucial to use them sparingly and at the most impactful moments.

Many beginner writers are tempted to insert literary devices into their work to showcase their skills. However, this often backfires, as forced or inappropriate use of these tools can be more conspicuous than not using them at all. The best approach is to let literary devices flow naturally within your writing. Employ them where they enhance the narrative or clarify a point, rather than inserting them merely for the sake of decoration. This strategy ensures that the devices contribute meaningfully to your story or argument, rather than distracting from it.

How to Identify Literary Devices in Writing 

Identifying literary devices in writing requires an attentive and analytical approach. These devices are the tools that writers use to enhance their narrative, create deeper meaning, or evoke specific emotions from the reader. Here are some steps and tips to help you recognize literary devices when reading:

1. Read Attentively: Pay close attention to the text. Literary devices often stand out because they give the language more flavor or complexity. Read slowly and re-read if necessary.
   
2. Look for Patterns: Many literary devices, such as alliteration or rhyme, involve patterns of sound or repetition. Listening to the sounds the words make when read aloud can help you identify these patterns.
   
3. Notice Unusual Word Choices or Phrases: Metaphors, similes, and personification often involve unique or figurative language that doesn’t follow the normal way of speaking. If a phrase makes you pause or visualize a concept in a vivid way, it’s likely employing a literary device.
   
4. Examine the Structure: Some devices affect the structure of a sentence, paragraph, or even the entire narrative. Look for sentences that parallel each other, structural anomalies, or shifts in narrative perspective, as these can indicate the use of devices like parallelism, chiasmus, or framing.
   
5. Consider the Context: Understanding why an author might use a particular device can also clue you in to its presence. Ask yourself how the choice of words, the structure of the sentence, or the organization of the text enhances the message, adds depth to themes, or influences the reader’s perception.
   
6. Use Annotation: While reading, make notes or highlight parts of the text that seem to carry more weight or express ideas in a creative or condensed way. This can help you to analyze the text later and identify specific devices used.

By practicing these steps, you’ll develop a keener eye for literary devices and a deeper appreciation of the craft of writing. This skill not only improves your reading comprehension but also enhances your ability to write more effectively and persuasively.

FAQs – Literary Devices 

Q1: What are the big three literary devices?

The “big three” literary devices commonly referred to are metaphor, simile, and personification. These devices enrich the text by providing vivid comparisons and attributing human traits to non-human elements, thereby enhancing the reader’s imaginative experience and emotional connection.

Q2: What are literature devices?

Literary devices are techniques used by writers to convey deeper meanings, add complexity, and enhance the effectiveness of their narratives. These devices can include figures of speech, narrative techniques, structural elements, and language tricks designed to manipulate the text’s surface level for richer interpretation and engagement.

Q3: How many literary types are there?

Literary types refer broadly to the categories of literary works divided by genre, form, and style. There are numerous literary types, including, but not limited to, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama, and prose, with each category further divided into subgenres like mystery, fantasy, biography, and more.

Q4: What is a literary device in ELA?

In English Language Arts (ELA), a literary device refers to various techniques and tools that authors use to enhance the artistry of their writing, improve narrative impact, or convey complex ideas in an accessible and engaging manner. These devices include symbolism, irony, allegory, and many others that enrich the content and form of literary works.

Q5: What are literary elements?

Literary elements are the fundamental components that make up a narrative, such as plot, setting, character, theme, and conflict. These elements are essential for building the structure of a story and are used to develop the narrative and interact with the reader through established conventions and expectations.

Q6: How many types of literary devices are there?

There are dozens of literary devices available for use in literature, and they can be categorized into several types such as narrative techniques, figurative language, sound devices, and structural elements. The exact number can vary depending on how broadly one defines a “type,” but each serves to craft more effective and engaging stories.

Q7: How do literary devices enhance a text?

Literary devices enhance a text by adding layers of meaning, creating connections between characters and themes, and increasing the emotional or intellectual appeal. They help writers communicate more effectively and enable readers to engage more deeply with the text through imagery, symbolism, irony, and other techniques. Planning your narrative structure is key to effectively incorporating literary devices.

Q8: What is the difference between a literary element and a literary device?

A literary element refers to components of a narrative that are necessary for constructing a story, such as plot, setting, and character. In contrast, a literary device is a specific technique used to achieve a particular effect within the narrative, such as foreshadowing, metaphor, or alliteration. Essentially, elements are the essential parts of storytelling, while devices are tools used to enhance the storytelling.