Language Devices

1. Allusion
Allusion Definition
Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of
historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the
person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer
expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its
importance in a text.
For instance, you make a literary allusion the moment you say, I do not approve of
this quixotic idea, Quixotic means stupid and impractical derived from Cervantess
Don Quixote, a story of a foolish knight and his misadventures.

Function of Allusion
By and large, the use of allusions enables writers or poets to simplify complex ideas
and emotions. The readers comprehend the complex ideas by comparing the
emotions of the writer or poet to the references given by them. Furthermore, the
references to Greek Mythology give a dreamlike and magical touch to the works of
art. Similarly, biblical allusions appeal to the readers with religious backgrounds.

2. Analogy
Analogy Definition
An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing
that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it
to something that is familiar.
Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is
more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. Consider the
following example:
Structure of an atom is like a solar system. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the
planets revolving around their sun.
Here an atomic structure is compared to a solar system by using like. Therefore, it
is a simile. Metaphor is used to relate the nucleus to the sun and the electrons to
the planets without using words like or as. Hence, similes and metaphors are
employed to develop an analogy.

Function of Analogy in Literature

Writers use analogies to link an unfamiliar or a new idea with common and familiar
objects. It is easier for readers to comprehend a new idea, which may have been
difficult for them to understand otherwise. Their comprehension of a new idea picks
up the pace when they observe its similarity to something that is familiar to them.
In addition, by employing this literary tool, writers catch the attention of their
readers. Analogies help increase readers interest as analogies help them relate
what they read to their life.

3.

Anecdote

Anecdote Definition
Anecdote is defined as a short and interesting story or an amusing event often
proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners
laugh.
Anecdotes can include an extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short
description or an account of any event that makes the readers laugh or brood over
the topic presented for the purpose.

Function of Anecdote
Anecdotes and humorous pieces are not only jokes, but exquisite literary devices as
well. Their major purposes are to stir up laughter, to disclose a truth in a general
way, or to describe a feature of a character in such a way that it becomes humorous
and at the same time gives us a better understanding of the character.
Anecdotes may also serve as cautions. Writers tell their readers about the
possibilities of future happenings in case they do not follow particular processes and
techniques.

4. Alliteration
Alliteration Definition
Alliteration is derived from Latins Latira. It means letters of alphabet. It is a
stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound,
occur close together in a series.
Consider the following examples:
But a better butter makes a batter better.

A big bully beats a baby boy.

Both sentences are alliterative because the same first letter of words (B) occurs
close together and produces alliteration in the sentence. An important point to
remember here is that alliteration does not depend on letters but on sounds. So the
phrase not knotty is alliterative, but cigarette chase is not.

Function of Alliteration
Alliteration has a very vital role in poetry and prose. It creates a musical effect in
the text that enhances the pleasure of reading a literary piece. It makes reading and
recitation of the poems attractive and appealing; thus, making them easier to learn
by heart. Furthermore, it renders flow and beauty to a piece of writing.
In the marketing industry, as what we have already discussed, alliteration makes
the brand names interesting and easier to remember. This literary device is helpful
in attracting customers and enhancing sales.

5. Contrast
Definition of Contrast
Contrast is a rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between
two subjects, places, persons, things or ideas. Simply, it is a type of opposition
between two objects highlighted to emphasize their differences.
It comes from a Latin word, contra stare, meaning to stand against. Usually though
not always, writers use phrases and words to indicate a contrast such as but, yet,
however, instead, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary and unlike, etc. for
instance, E. B White in his novel, Stuart Little, brings a contrast between Stuart and
other babies as using unlike as it goes here; Unlike most babies, Stuart could walk
as soon as he was born.

Function of Contrast
Writers address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons,
places and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major
purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, the readers can
easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through
opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger which
become memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition,
contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama and produce balanced
structures in literary works.

6. Connotation
Connotation Definition
Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing
which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or
meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations.
For instance, Wall Street literally means a street situated in Lower Manhattan but
connotatively it refers to wealth and power.
Function of Connotation
In literature, connotation paves way for creativity by using figures of speech like
metaphor, simile, symbolism, personification etc. Had writers contented themselves
with only the literal meanings, there would have been no way to compare abstract
ideas to concrete concepts in order to give readers a better understanding.
Therefore, connotative meanings of words allow writers to add to their works,
dimensions which are broader, more vivid and fresher.

7. Denotation
Denotation Definition
Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in
contrast to its connotative or associated meanings.
Let us try to understand this term with the help of an example. If you search for
meaning of the word dove in a dictionary, you will see that its meaning is a type
of pigeon, a wild and domesticated bird having a heavy body and short legs. In
literature, however, you frequently see dove referred to as a symbol of peace.

Function of Denotation
Readers are familiar with denotations of words but denotations are generally
restricted meanings. Writers, therefore, deviate from the denotative meanings of
words to create fresh ideas and images that add deeper levels of meanings to
common and ordinary words. Readers find it convenient to grasp the connotative
meanings of words because of the fact that they are familiar to their literal
meanings.

8. Irony
Irony Definition
Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended
meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a
situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally
anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between the appearance and the
reality.

Function of Irony
Like all other figures of speech, Irony brings about some added meanings to a
situation. Ironical statements and situations in literature develop readers interest.
Irony makes a work of literature more intriguing and forces the readers to use their
imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. Moreover, real
life is full of ironical expressions and situations. Therefore, the use of irony brings a
work of literature closer to the life.

9. Juxtapose
Juxtaposition Definition
Juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters
and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of
developing comparisons and contrasts.
In literature, juxtaposition is a useful device for writers to portray their characters in
great detail to create suspense and achieve a rhetorical effect. It is a human quality

to comprehend one thing easily by comparing it to another. Therefore, a writer can

make readers sense goodness in a particular character by placing him or her side
by side to a character that is predominantly evil. Consequently, goodness in one
character is highlighted by evil in the other character. Juxtaposition in this case is
useful in the development of characters.

Function of Juxtaposition
Writers employ the literary technique of juxtaposition in order to surprise their
readers and evoke their interest by means of developing a comparison between two
dissimilar things by placing them side by side. The comparison drawn adds
vividness to a given image, controls pacing of poem or a narrative and provides a
logical connection between two various vague concepts.

10.Metaphor
Metaphor Definition
Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden
comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common
characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different
objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics.
In simple English, when you portray a person, place, thing, or an action as being
something else, even though it is not actually that something else, you are
speaking metaphorically. He is the black sheep of the family is a metaphor
because he is not a sheep and is not even black. However, we can use this
comparison to describe an association of a black sheep with that person. A black
sheep is an unusual animal and typically stays away from the herd, and the person
you are describing shares similar characteristics.
Furthermore, a metaphor develops a comparison which is different from a simile i.e.
we do not use like or as to develop a comparison in a metaphor. It actually
makes an implicit or hidden comparison and not an explicit one.

Functions
From the above arguments, explanations and examples, we can easily infer the
function of metaphors; both in our daily lives and in a piece of literature. Using
appropriate metaphors appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers,
sharpening their imaginations to comprehend what is being communicated to them.

Moreover, it gives a life-like quality to our conversations and to the characters of the
fiction or poetry. Metaphors are also ways of thinking, offering the listeners and the
readers fresh ways of examining ideas and viewing the world.

11.

Parallelism

Parallelism Definition
Parallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the
same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter. Parallelism
examples are found in literary works as well as in ordinary conversations.
This method adds balance and rhythm to sentences giving ideas a smoother flow
and thus can be persuasive because of the repetition it employs. For example, Alice
ran into the room, into the garden, and into our hearts. We see the repetition of a
phrase that not only gives the sentence a balance but rhythm and flow as well. This
repetition can also occur in similar structured clauses e.g. Whenever you need me,
wherever you need me, I will be there for you.

Function of Parallelism
The use of parallel structures in speech or writing allows speakers and writers to
maintain a consistency within their work and create a balanced flow of ideas.
Moreover, it can be employed as a tool for persuasion as well because of the
repetition it uses.

12.

Rhetorical Question

Rhetorical Question Definition

A rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point
discussed when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an
obvious answer but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the
point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an
impressive persuasive device.
Broadly speaking, a rhetorical question is asked when the questioner himself knows
the answer already or an answer is not actually demanded. So, an answer is not
expected from the audience. Such a question is used to emphasize a point or draw
the audiences attention.

Function of a Rhetorical Question

Writers employ rhetorical questions for rhetorical effects and we cannot easily
quantify the impact rendered by a rhetorical question. The idea becomes all the
more powerful, and our interest is aroused to continue to read and enjoy the
technical and aesthetic beauty that a rhetorical question generates. Moreover, it is
a requirement in persuasive speeches.

13.

Simile

Simile Definition
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities
between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with
the help of the words like or as. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.
We can find simile examples in our daily speech. We often hear comments like John
is as slow as a snail. Snails are notorious for their slow pace and here the slowness
of John is compared to that of a snail. The use of as in the example helps to draw
the resemblance. Some more examples of common similes are given below.

Function of Simile
From the above discussion, we can infer the function of similes both in our everyday
life as well as in literature. Using similes attracts the attention and appeals directly
to the senses of listeners or readers encouraging their imagination to comprehend
what is being communicated. In addition, it inspires life-like quality in our daily talks
and in the characters of fiction or poetry. Simile allows readers to relate the feelings
of a writer or a poet to their personal experiences. Therefore, the use of similes
makes it easier for the readers to understand the subject matter of a literary text,

which may have been otherwise too demanding to be comprehended. Like

metaphors, similes also offer variety in our ways of thinking and offers new
perspectives of viewing the world.

14. Tone
Tone Definition
Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an
audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint
of a writer on a particular subject.
Every written piece comprises a central theme or subject matter. The manner in
which a writer approaches this theme and subject is the tone. The tone can be
formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful or it may be any other
existing attitudes. Consider the following examples of tone:
I want to ask the authorities what is the big deal? Why do not they control the
epidemic? It is eating up lives like a monster.
I want to draw the attention of the concerned authorities toward damage caused
by an epidemic. If steps were not taken to curb it, it will further injure our
community
The theme of both tone examples is the same. The only way we can differentiate
between them is their separate tone. The tone in the first example is casual or
informal while, it is more formal in the second.

Function of Tone

Tone, in a piece of literature, decides how they readers read a literary piece and
how they should feel while they are reading it. It stimulates the readers to read a
piece of literature as a serious, comical, spectacular or distressing. In addition, tone
lends shape and life to a piece of literature because it creates a mood.
Moreover, tone bestows voice to characters and it throws light on the personalities
and dispositions of characters that readers understand better.

15.

Understatement

Understatement Definition
An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to
intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is.
For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. When you tell a news reporter I
am delighted, you are making an understatement. Similarly, suppose a team loses
to its opponent 50 to 0 in a soccer match and the captain of the team says in a
post-match ceremony says, We did not do well, it is an understatement because
he is trying to decrease the intensity of the loss.
An understatement usually has an ironic effect as an equally intense response is
expected in severe situations but the statement in response is the opposite of what
was expected i.e. less intense but of course with an ironical tone. For instance, your
friend returns your new coat with blots all over it; in response, you make an
understatement, It doesnt look too bad. Therefore, an understatement is opposite
to another figure of speech hyperbole or an overstatement.

Function of Understatement

An understatement is a tool that helps to develop other figures of speech such as

irony and sarcasm by deliberately decreasing the severity of a situation when an
intense response is expected by the listeners or the readers.