Literary Devices Definitions and Examples 1

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Literary Devices
Definitions and Examples

Literary Devices Definitions and Examples 2

Literary Devices
Literary Devices (also known as Literary Terms) are elements and
techniques that writers use in their works (poetry, short stories, plays,
song lyrics, news articles, etc..) to help convey their message (s) to his
or her readers. When a writer uses literary devices well, it will help the
reader interpret and experience a literary work more fully and
engagingly.
Literary Devices are divided into two sub-groups:
Literary Devices

1) Literary Elements

2)

Literary Techniques

1. Literary Elements: are devices (whether only one, or more)

that are necessary to develop a literary piece (a poem, a shortstory, a news articles). Without the use literary elements
(whether only one, or more) writers cannot create a literary work
in a professional manner. Here is an important list of literary
elements, get to know these!
a. Plot, Setting, Protagonist, Antagonist, Narrator,
Narrative Method, Dialogue, Conflict, Mood, Theme,
Tone.
2. Literary Techniques (Also known as Figurative Language):
are devices a writer uses that may not necessarily be required to
create a literary work, but help in making a written work more
artistic, emotionally evocative, descriptive, and engaging. Here is
an important list of literary techniques. Get to know these!
a. Foreshadowing,
Juxtaposition,
Epiphany,
Personification, Flashback, Symbolism, Dilemma,
Irony (Dramatic, Situational, Verbal), Suspense,
Simile,
Metaphor,
Oxymoron,
Hyperbole,

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Onomatopoeia, Stereotype, Imagery (taste, sound,
sight, smell, touch), Euphamism.

Definitions and Examples

Here are some examples of specific literary devices (literary elements
and literary techniques). You will have a much deeper understanding
and appreciation for a literary work the more literary devices you can
recognize and understand in a specific text.

Literary Elements
Plot
The logical sequence of events that develops a story.
Example: Harry learns that professor Snape is after the
Sorcerers Stone. The Professor lets loose a troll, who nearly kills
Harry and his friends. In addition, Harry finds out that Hagrid let
out the secret of the giant dog to a stranger in return for a
dragon which means that Snape can now reach the Sorcerers
Stone.
Setting
A storys setting is comprised of the time, place, culture, and
environment in which a story takes place. In some cases, the setting
also serves as an important aspect of a storys plot.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, J.K. Rowling opens
the story by focusing on Harrys non-magical life in his aunt and
uncles house. By setting the opening in this way, the author
establishes Harrys background, showing his lack of magical
knowledge and the difficult life he endures and making Harrys
transition to the magical setting of Hogwarts more affecting for
readers.
Protagonist
The main character of a story, novel, or play.

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Example: Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings, Bruce Wayne in

Batman.

Antagonist
The character in conflict with the Protagonist
Example: Sauroman in Lord of the Rings, The Joker in Batman.

Narrator (First Person)

The person who tells the story. The narrator will use first-person
pronouns such as I or me
Example: Anne frank in The Diary of Anne Frank: Ive reached
the point where I hardly care whether I live or die. The world will
keep on turning without me.
Narrator (Third Person)
The person who tells the story. The narrator will no use first-person
pronouns such as I or me but rather use pronouns such as he,
she, they, etc We may not always know who the narrator is in the
case of a story narrated in the third-person.
Example: from George Orwells 1984: Winston stopped
reading, chiefly in order to appreciate the fact that he was
reading, in comfort and safety. He was alone.
Dialogue
Where characters speak to one another.
Example: Howre we getting to Kings Cross tomorrow, Dad?
asked Fred as they dug into a sumptuous pudding.
The Ministrys providing a couple of cars, said Mr.Weasley.
Conflict
An issue in a story around which the whole story revolves.
Example: In Romeo and Juliet, the two lovers cannot get married because
both of their respective families have been enemies for many years. The plot
of the story involves Romeo and Juliet attempting to escape this conflict in
order to pursue their love for one another.
Mood

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A general atmosphere of a narrative (story, poem, play, etc..). The mood of a
narrative can evoke various emotional responses in readers. The more emotionally
immersed a reader is, the more a literary work can be appreciated.
Example: From Star Wars Revenge of the Sith: War! The Republic is
crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith Lord, Count Dooku. There are
heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere
o The mood is tense, hopeless, and evokes fear. Notice that setting is
also defined in this excerpt.
Theme
A central idea or concept of a story
Example: Theme(s) in the movie Suicide Squad: Good vs. Evil, Power and
Corruption. Theme(s) in The Lion King: Family, Friendship, Good vs Evil,
Coming of Age.

Literary Techniques (Strong)

Foreshadowing
The using of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot.
Sometimes foreshadowing can be obvious to the reader, other times it
is subtler.
Example: In Act 2 scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo says that
he would rather die sooner and be in love with Juliet, then die old
and not be in love with Juliet. These words foreshadow his death
towards the end of the play.
Juxtaposition
Placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast.
Example: Dark and light, young and old.
Epiphany
A moment of sudden realization or insight.
Example: After seeing hungry children rummage through
garbage in search of food, Heather realized she wanted to
devote her life to fighting world hunger.
Personification
Ascribing human qualities to inanimate objects or animal.
Example: The wind howled.
Flashback

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A transition in a story to an earlier event or scene (back in time). The
setting often changes in a flashback.
Example: In the Lion King, the narrative goes back in time and
reveals how Mufasa was killed.
Symbolism
The use of an object, person, or idea to represent something other
than it is.
Example: A dove represents peace. A flag represents a country.
A gun represents violence. A crown represent royalty.
Dilemma
A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two
undesirable outcomes, especially equally undesirable ones.
Example: You either have to kill a store clerk and end up in jail
for the rest of your life to feed your family, or watch your family
starve.
Irony (Verbal Irony)
The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. Is
sarcasm verbal irony?
Example: Looking at her sons messy room, mom says Wow! You
could win an award for cleanliness!
Irony (Situational Irony)
Occurs when outcomes of a work is unexpected, or events turn out to
be the opposite from what one had expected.
Example: A fire station burns down or: posting on Facebook
complaining about how useless Facebook is.
Irony (Dramatic Irony)
When another character(s) and/or the audience know more than one or
more characters on stage about what is happening.
Example: In a scary movie, the character walks into a house
thinking everything will be alright, but the audience knows that it
is haunted.
Suspense
When you fear for the safety of one of the main characters. Usually
created by the use of another literary device.

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Example: In the Netflix show Stranger Things, every episode
ends with an event to which we dont know the outcome. The
suspense created makes the viewer want to know the outcome
of the event and thus watch the next episode.

Literary Techniques (Medium)

Simile
A figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of
different kinds, usually formed by using words such as like or as.
Example: His smile is as radiant as the sun. The lake is so still it
looks like a mirror.
Metaphor
A figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden
comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some
common characteristics. A metaphor does not use obvious indicators
like a simile which uses like or as.
Example: Her lovely voice was music to his ears. Time is money.
Your brain is a computer.
Oxymoron
An expression in which two words that contradict each other are joined.
Example: Jumbo Shrimp, Tiny Giant, Living Dead, Hells Angels.
Hyperbole

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A Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion,
make a point, or evoke humor.
Example: Im so hungry I can eat a horse. I had a ton of
homework. That joke is so old, the last time I heard it I was riding
a dinosaur!
Onomatopoeia
Using words that imitate the sound they denote.
Example: Boom! Wham! Whizz! Crack! Crunch!
Stereotype
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular
time of person or thing.
Example: All Arabs are terrorists.

Imagery
Descriptions that appeal to the senses (sight/sound/smell/touch/taste).
Example: Sight: The sunset was the most gorgeous theyd ever
seen; the clouds were edged with pink and gold.
Sound: The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days
afterward.
Smell: The flower garden smelled so sweet and wonderful.
Touch: The tree bark was rough against her skin.
Taste: The familiar tang of his grandmothers cranberry sauce
reminded him of his youth.
Euphemism
A euphemism is a polite expression used in place of words or phrases
that otherwise might be considered harsh or unpleasant to hear.
Example: Saying Correctional Facility instead of Jail or saying
Passed away instead of Died.

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