27 Common Literary Devices: Definitions & Examples

What Is a Literary Device?

A literary device is a tool used by writers to hint at larger themes, ideas, and meaning in a story or piece of writing. There are many styles of literary devices, each serving a different purpose. Some operate at the sentence level, while others serve the piece of writing as a whole. Writers often use multiple literary devices in tandem.

Literary Devices

An essay on the use of literary devices in the English literature world can be taken as an indication of how important it is to enrich the experience of the readers by making use of tools that help the reader in giving his or her imagination free rein. All these tool from the down to earth of allusion right up to the massive impact of climax are available to writers to help them make deep significant statements, to paint pictures in the readers’ mind and to attract attention on other than the surface level. In this language arts guide for middle school students, this page will further explain how important literary devices such as simile, metaphor, personification and many others work. Every entry contains definition, purpose, examples, and an analysis based on the work, which will prove particularly useful to you when it comes to comprehension of how those specific devices work in literary texts and contribute to the given work’s mood and tone. No matter a reader, a student, or a interested person in writing, this guide will help you to appreciate novels and stories more and to recognize their great value in the world.

1. Simile

• Definition: A simile is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, often highlighting a particular quality or characteristic of one of the things being compared. The comparison is made explicit through the use of the words “like” or “as.”
• Purpose: Similes are used to make descriptions more emphatic or vivid, allowing readers to draw parallels between familiar and unfamiliar concepts.
• Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.” This simile compares the brightness of her smile to the sun, emphasizing its radiance.
• Analysis: Similes help in creating a mental image for the reader, making abstract ideas more concrete and relatable.

2. Metaphor

• Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly equates two unlike things by stating that one thing is the other, rather than saying it is like the other. It does not use “like” or “as.”
• Purpose: Metaphors are used to create more powerful imagery and to convey meanings that go beyond the literal sense of the words.
• Example: “Time is a thief.” This metaphor suggests that time steals moments from our lives, just as a thief would steal valuables.
• Analysis: Metaphors often convey complex ideas more effectively and can add layers of meaning to the text.

3. Personification

• Definition: Personification is a literary device where human traits, emotions, or intentions are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.
• Purpose: By personifying non-human elements, writers can make them more relatable to readers, ascribing them with human-like qualities that evoke empathy or understanding.
• Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.” The wind is given the human ability to whisper, making the description more vivid and engaging.
• Analysis: Personification can enhance the emotional impact of a narrative by making the environment or objects within it seem alive.

4. Metonymy

• Definition: Metonymy is a figure of speech where one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated. This substitution usually involves a symbolic or representational relationship between the two words.
• Purpose: Metonymy is used to create more evocative and concise descriptions by allowing a related term to stand in for the original concept.
• Example: “The White House issued a statement.” Here, “The White House” is used as a metonym for the U.S. President or the administration.
• Analysis: Metonymy can add layers of meaning and context, as it often involves cultural or societal associations that enrich the text.

5. Symbol

• Definition: A symbol is a literary device where an object, person, situation, or action is used to represent something more than its literal meaning. Symbols are often used to convey complex ideas and themes in a more subtle way.
• Purpose: Symbols allow writers to convey deeper meanings without overt explanation, often representing abstract concepts such as love, freedom, or death.
• Example: The “dove” is a common symbol of peace. In literature, the appearance of a dove might suggest the theme of reconciliation or hope.
• Analysis: Understanding symbols requires readers to consider both the literal and figurative meanings, enriching the interpretative experience of a literary work.

6. Irony

• Definition: Irony is a literary device in which there is a discrepancy between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant. There are three main types of irony:
  • Verbal Irony: When what is said is the opposite of what is meant.
  • Situational Irony: When what actually happens is the opposite of what was expected.
  • Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
• Purpose: Irony is used to create humor, emphasize a point, or convey deeper meanings, often highlighting the contradictions inherent in human experience.
• Example: A fire station burns down (Situational Irony). The irony lies in the expectation that a fire station would be the last place to catch fire.
• Analysis: Irony often challenges the reader’s expectations, encouraging them to think critically about the underlying message or theme.

7. Climax

• Definition: The climax of a narrative is the point of highest tension and drama, where the main conflict reaches its peak. It is often the moment of greatest emotional intensity for the characters and the audience.
• Purpose: The climax serves as the turning point of the story, leading to the resolution of the conflict and driving the narrative towards its conclusion.
• Example: The final battle in a story where the hero faces the villain, deciding the ultimate outcome of the conflict.
• Analysis: A well-crafted climax can make a story memorable and impactful, as it is the moment where the stakes are highest and the outcome is most uncertain.

8. Anticlimax

• Definition: Anticlimax is a literary device that occurs when a narrative builds up to a climax but then abruptly shifts to a less significant or trivial conclusion. This shift often creates a comic or ironic effect.
• Purpose: Anticlimax is used to subvert expectations, often to create humor or highlight the absurdity of a situation.
• Example: “He lost his family, his fortune, and his car keys.” The first two losses are significant, while the third is trivial, creating an anticlimactic effect.
• Analysis: Anticlimax can be used to emphasize the disparity between expectations and reality, often making a subtle critique of human concerns or values.

9. Alliteration

• Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words. It is often used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, mood, or emphasis.
• Purpose: Alliteration draws attention to specific words or phrases, enhancing the musical quality of the text and making it more memorable.
• Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.” The repeated “s” sound creates a smooth, flowing rhythm.
• Analysis: Alliteration can also reinforce the mood or tone of a passage, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the work.

10. Assonance

• Definition: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, often used to create internal rhyming within phrases or sentences.
• Purpose: Assonance contributes to the musicality and rhythm of a text, enhancing its aesthetic qualities and making it more engaging.
• Example: “The early bird catches the worm.” The repetition of the “e” sound in “early” and “bird” creates a subtle harmony.
• Analysis: Like alliteration, assonance can help unify a passage of text, drawing attention to key themes or ideas.

11. Hyperbole

• Definition: Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect. It is not meant to be taken literally but is used to create a strong impression.
• Purpose: Hyperbole is often used to convey strong emotions, make a point, or add humor to a narrative.
• Example: “I’ve told you a million times.” This exaggeration emphasizes the speaker’s frustration.
• Analysis: Hyperbole can heighten the emotional impact of a statement, making it more dramatic or memorable.

12. Paradox

• Definition: A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory or absurd but may contain an underlying truth. Paradoxes often challenge logical thinking and reveal complex truths about human experience.
• Purpose: Paradoxes are used to provoke thought, highlight contradictions, and explore deeper truths that are not immediately obvious.
• Example: “Less is more.” This paradox suggests that simplicity can lead to greater impact or value.
• Analysis: Paradoxes often encourage readers to think critically about the meanings and implications of statements, revealing deeper layers of meaning.

13. Onomatopoeia

• Definition: Onomatopoeia is a literary device where a word imitates the natural sound of a thing. It is often used in poetry and prose to create a more vivid and sensory experience.
• Purpose: Onomatopoeia adds auditory imagery to a text, making the description more lively and engaging for the reader.
• Example: “The bees buzzed.” The word “buzzed” mimics the actual sound bees make.
• Analysis: Onomatopoeia can make scenes more immersive, helping readers to hear the sounds described as if they were present in the scene.

14. Bathos

• Definition: Bathos is a literary device that involves a sudden and often humorous shift from the sublime or serious to the trivial or ridiculous. It is often used intentionally to create a comic effect or to satirize.
• Purpose: Bathos highlights the absurdity of a situation by contrasting high and low elements, often leading to an unexpected and humorous outcome.
• Example: A grandiose speech that ends with a mundane or silly conclusion can be an example of bathos.
• Analysis: Bathos can be a powerful tool in satire, as it exposes the pretensions or overblown seriousness of certain situations by bringing them down to earth with humor.

15. Allusion

• Definition: An 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.
• Purpose: Allusions are used to evoke particular associations and to provide deeper meaning or context without lengthy explanations. They can connect a text to broader cultural or literary traditions.
• Example: “He met his Waterloo.” This allusion refers to Napoleon Bonaparte’s final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, symbolizing a significant and decisive defeat.
• Analysis: Allusions rely on the reader’s familiarity with the reference. When recognized, they can enrich a text by adding layers of meaning and connecting it to other works or ideas.

16. Conceit

• Definition: A conceit is an extended metaphor with a complex logic that governs a poetic passage or entire poem. It is often elaborate and creates a striking parallel between two seemingly dissimilar things.
• Purpose: Conceits are used to surprise and delight readers by linking ideas in unexpected ways, often exploring abstract concepts through concrete images.
• Example: John Donne’s “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” where he compares the love between two people to the two legs of a compass.
• Analysis: Conceits are characteristic of metaphysical poetry, where they serve to convey complex ideas and emotions through inventive and intricate comparisons.

17. Pun

• Definition: A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect.
• Purpose: Puns are used to create humor, emphasize a particular idea, or demonstrate the cleverness of the writer.
• Example: “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” This pun plays on the different meanings of “flies” and the structure of the sentence.
• Analysis: Puns can add wit to a text and engage readers by making them think about the different possible meanings of words.

18. Imagery

• Definition: Imagery involves the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
• Purpose: Imagery is used to evoke sensory experiences, making scenes more vivid and real for the reader, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of a narrative.
• Example: “The golden yellow sunlight filtered through the pale leaves, casting a warm glow on the forest floor.” This imagery appeals to the sense of sight.
• Analysis: Effective imagery can transport readers into the world of the story, making them feel as if they are experiencing the events themselves.

19. Elegy

• Definition: An elegy is a mournful, melancholic, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead. It often reflects on death, loss, or other solemn themes.
• Purpose: Elegies are written to express grief, to honor the memory of someone who has died, or to contemplate broader themes of mortality and loss.
• Example: Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” is a well-known elegy that reflects on death and the inevitability of mortality.
• Analysis: Elegies often follow a structure that moves from lamentation to praise of the deceased, and finally to consolation or acceptance.

20. Sonnet

• Definition: A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, traditionally written in iambic pentameter. There are various forms, including the Petrarchan (Italian) and Shakespearean (English) sonnet.
• Purpose: Sonnets are often used to explore themes of love, beauty, politics, mortality, and nature. The strict form challenges poets to express deep emotions within a limited structure.
• Example: Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) is a classic example of the Shakespearean sonnet form.
• Analysis: The sonnet’s rigid structure allows for the development of complex ideas within a concise framework, often leading to a volta (turn) that shifts the poem’s direction or tone.

21. Lyric

• Definition: A lyric is a short poem that expresses personal thoughts and emotions, often in a song-like quality. Unlike narrative poetry, it does not tell a story but focuses on feelings and perceptions.
• Purpose: Lyric poems are used to convey the poet’s innermost emotions, often in a direct and intimate manner, allowing readers to connect with the personal experience of the speaker.
• Example: “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth is a lyric poem that captures the poet’s feelings of solitude and the beauty of nature.
• Analysis: Lyric poetry often explores universal themes such as love, grief, joy, and nature, making it relatable to a wide audience.

22. Dramatic Monologue

• Definition: A dramatic monologue is a type of poem in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing aspects of their character through their speech. It often involves a critical moment or a significant situation.
• Purpose: Dramatic monologues allow the speaker to reveal their thoughts, feelings, and motivations, often leading to self-revelation or exposing their inner conflicts.
• Example: “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning is a famous dramatic monologue in which the Duke reveals his possessive and controlling nature while speaking about his deceased wife.
• Analysis: Dramatic monologues provide insight into the psychology of the speaker, often leading to dramatic irony as the audience understands more about the speaker than they realize themselves.

23. Ode

• Definition: An ode is a form of lyric poetry that is characterized by its formal tone, elaborate structure, and exalted theme. Odes are usually written in praise of someone or something.
• Purpose: Odes are used to express admiration, veneration, or reflection on a particular subject, often celebrating its virtues or meditating on its significance.
• Example: “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats is an example of an ode that explores the contrast between the transient nature of human life and the eternal beauty of the nightingale’s song.
• Analysis: The elevated language and formal structure of an ode allow poets to explore profound and complex ideas with dignity and reverence.

24. Ballad

• Definition: A ballad is a narrative poem that tells a story, typically in short stanzas. It often uses a simple rhyme scheme and is characterized by its song-like quality. Ballads are traditionally passed down orally.
• Purpose: Ballads are used to recount tales of love, tragedy, adventure, and folklore, often focusing on dramatic events and straightforward narratives.
• Example: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a well-known literary ballad that tells the story of a mariner’s cursed voyage.
• Analysis: The ballad form’s rhythmic structure makes it easy to remember and recite, which is why it has been an enduring medium for storytelling across cultures.

25. Fable

• Definition: A fable is a short story, typically with animals as characters, that conveys a moral lesson. Fables often use simple language and accessible narratives to impart wisdom or ethical guidance.
• Purpose: Fables are used to teach moral lessons in an engaging and memorable way, often through the use of allegory and personification.
• Example: “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a classic fable that teaches the lesson that slow and steady wins the race.
• Analysis: Fables use the simplicity of their narratives and the familiarity of their characters to communicate universal truths that resonate across generations.

26. Satire

• Definition: Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human vices, foolishness, or social institutions. It is often used to provoke thought and inspire change.
• Purpose: Satire aims to highlight the flaws and absurdities of society, individuals, or institutions, encouraging readers to question the status quo and consider reforms.
• Example: Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a satirical essay that criticizes the British government’s neglect of the Irish people by ironically suggesting the eating of babies as a solution to poverty.
• Analysis: Satire’s effectiveness lies in its ability to use humor and wit to make serious points, often challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths.

27. Lampoon

• Definition: A lampoon is a sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution. It is more personal and direct than general satire and usually targets specific persons or situations.
• Purpose: Lampoons are used to mock or criticize a specific person or group in a humorous or scornful manner, often as a form of social or political commentary.
• Example: Alexander Pope’s “The Dunciad” is a lampoon that criticizes the decline of literary culture by mocking specific individuals involved in the literary world.
• Analysis: Lampoons are potent tools for social criticism, relying on exaggeration and directness to deliver their critique in an unmistakable manner.

Conclusion

Therefore, having learned about the most common literary devices used in writing, one can have a better understanding of the piece of work. These aspects are not a mere decoration; they are the tools that form and shape the meaning of the stories and poems, tools that excite or sadden readers. The proper understanding and application of figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification and all the other categories it, writers and readers are in a position to discover the different higher degrees of difficulty embedded in literature. It was the purpose of this guide to demystify and explain these devices, and show how they help in the process of storytelling and the writing of poetry. No matter if you are interpreting a Shakespeare’s play or reading a modern poem, or writing your poem, the awareness of these techniques will improve your ability to read and write works of splendid literary significance. Accept it and be positioned with these tools for the interesting and complex world of English literature.