Focus: Literary Elements

Literary devices are techniques that writers use to create a special and pointed
effect in their writing, to convey information, or to help readers understand
their writing on a deeper level.

Often, literary devices are used in writing for emphasis or clarity. Authors will
also use literary devices to get readers to connect more strongly with either a
story as a whole or specific characters or themes.

Common Literary Techniques

1. Simile and Metaphor: Both compare two distinct objects and draw similarity
between them. The difference is that Simile uses “as” or “like” and a Metaphor
does not. For example:

 My friend is like a brave lion. (Simile)

 He is an old fox. (Metaphor)

2. Hyperbole: is an exaggerated statement that's not meant to be taken literally

by the reader. For example:

 Your bag weighs a ton!

 I have got a million issues to look after!

3. Personification: It gives a thing, an idea or an animal a human quality. For

example:

 The flowers are dancing beside the lake.

 Have you seen my new car? She is a real beauty!

4. Alliteration: a series of words or phrases that all (or almost all) start with the
same sound. For example:

 Better butter always makes the batter better.

 She sells seashells at seashore.

5. Idiom: a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is

different from the meanings of each word on its own. For Example:
 To "have bitten off more than you can chew" is an idiom that means you
have tried to do something which is too difficult for you.

 Read the following sentences and write the literary technique on the line.
1. Liz's new sister is like a baby doll. …………………………
2. The telephone yelled for me to answer it. …………………………
3. She is the apple of her dad's eye. …………………………
4. My stubborn dresser drawer refused to close. …………………………
5. My mom acts like she is a million years old. …………………………
6. She sings at the top of her lungs. …………………………
7. Harry hopped high over the fence. …………………………
8. Her hair is black silk. …………………………
9. The snow tickled my check as it fell from the sky. ………………………
10.I'd give my right arm for a new Wii game system. …………………………
11.I almost died laughing. …………………………
12.I wish you health, happiness and hope for the New Year! …………………