Commonly, the term Literary Devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her message(s) in a simple manner to his or her readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work.
Two Kinds of Literary DevicesLiterary Devices have two aspects. They can be treated as either Literary Elements or Literary Techniques. It will be convenient to define them separately.
Literary Elements have an inherent existence in literary piece and are extensively employed by writers to develop a literary piece e.g. plot, setting, narrative structure, characters, mood, theme, moral etc. Writers simply cannot create his desired work without including Literary Elements in a thoroughly professional manner.
Literary Techniques, on the contrary, are structures usually a word s or phrases in literary texts that writers employ to achieve not merely artistic ends but also readers a greater understanding and appreciation of their literary works. Examples are: metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, allegory etc. In contrast to Literary Elements, Literary Techniques are not unavoidable aspect of literary works.
To have a better understanding of Literary Devices, it is useful to look at their definition and examples:
Common Literary Elements
Two Kinds of Literary DevicesLiterary Devices have two aspects. They can be treated as either Literary Elements or Literary Techniques. It will be convenient to define them separately.
Literary Elements have an inherent existence in literary piece and are extensively employed by writers to develop a literary piece e.g. plot, setting, narrative structure, characters, mood, theme, moral etc. Writers simply cannot create his desired work without including Literary Elements in a thoroughly professional manner.
Literary Techniques, on the contrary, are structures usually a word s or phrases in literary texts that writers employ to achieve not merely artistic ends but also readers a greater understanding and appreciation of their literary works. Examples are: metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, allegory etc. In contrast to Literary Elements, Literary Techniques are not unavoidable aspect of literary works.
To have a better understanding of Literary Devices, it is useful to look at their definition and examples:
Common Literary Elements
- Plot: It is the logical sequence of events that develops a story.
- Setting: It refers to the time and place in which a story takes place.
- Protagonist: It is the main character of story, novel or a play e.g. Hamlet in the play Hamlet
- Antagonist: It is the character in conflict with the Protagonist e.g. Claudius in the play Hamlet
- Narrator: A person who tells the story.
- Narrative method: The manner in which a narrative is presented comprising plot and setting.
- Dialogue: Where characters of a narrative speak to one another.
- Conflict. It is n issue in a narrative around which the whole story revolves.
- Mood: A general atmosphere of a narrative.
- Theme: It is central idea or concept of a story.
- The room was dark and gloomy. -The words “dark” and “gloomy” are visual images.
- The river was roaring in the mountains. – The word “roaring” appeals to our sense of hearing.
- “My love is like a red red rose” (Simile)
- He is an old fox very cunning. (Metaphor)
- Your bag weighs a ton!
- I have got a million issues to look after!
- The flowers are dancing beside the lake.
- Have you see my new car? She is a real beauty!
- Better butter always makes the batter better.
- She sells seashells at seashore.
- “Animal Farm”, written by George Orwell, is an example allegory using the actions of animals on a farm to represent the overthrow of the last of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and the Communist Revolution of Russia before WW II. In addition, the actions of the animals on the farm are used to expose the greed and corruption of the Revolution.
- The bread is soft as a stone.
- So nice of you to break my new PSP!