Literary

Devices
Energizer

Word Association
 Literary Devices
Refers to the typical structures used by writers in
their works to convey his or her messages in a simple
manner to the readers. When employed properly, the
different literary devices help readers to appreciate,
interpret and analyze a literary work.
Literary Devices in Fiction
1. Foreshadowing
2. Symbolism
3. Motif
4. Mood
5. Tone
 Foreshadowing
is to build anticipation in the minds of readers
about what might happen next, thus adding
dramatic tension to a story. It is deliberately
employed to create suspense in mystery novels,
usually by giving false clues – or red herrings – to
distract readers.
 The final graveyard flower is
blooming, and its smell drifts
through
their house, speaking gently the
names of their dead.
(Foreshadows death)

The evening was still. Suddenly, a

cool breeze started blowing and
made a windy night. (Foreshadows
thunderstorm)
Foreshadowing
Readers and audiences often recognize these
elements as hints of what might be to come in a
story. Such hints can be detected on the
character’s dialogue, symbols, weather motifs,
omens, time/season, and settings. Furthermore,
even the title of a literary work can also be used
to foreshadow its plot events.
●The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
● True Beauty
●18 Again
●She's dating the gangster
●A Romantic Weekend
Symbolism
gives a writer freedom to add double levels of meanings to
his work: a literal one that is self-evident, and the symbolic
one whose meaning is far, more profound than the literal.
Symbolism is like a secret code in stories and art. It's when
something, like a word, object, or color, stands for a deeper
meaning or idea.
 A Red Rose:
a red rose often symbolizes
love and romance.
 Broken Mirror:
In some stories, a broken
mirror can symbolize bad
luck
 Dove:
are symbols of
peace.
Motif
is a recurring narrative element with symbolic
significance. If you spot a symbol, concept, or
plot structure that surfaces repeatedly in the
text, you’re probably dealing with a motif. They
must be related to the central idea of the work,
and they always end up reinforcing the author’s
overall message.
 Motif and Theme
In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound,
action, or other figure that has a symbolic significance, and
contributes toward the development of a theme. Motif and
theme are linked in a literary work, but there is a difference
between them. In a literary piece, a motif is a recurrent
image, idea, or symbol that develops or explains a theme,
while a theme is a central idea or message.
Motif and Symbol
Sometimes, examples of motif are mistakenly identified
as examples of symbols. Symbols are images, ideas,
sounds, or words that represent something else, and help
to understand an idea or a thing. Motifs, on the other
hand, are images, ideas, sounds, or words that help to
explain the central idea of a literary work – the theme.
Moreover, a symbol may appear once or twice in a
literary work, whereas a motif is a recurring element.
 Mood
In literature, mood is a literary element that evokes certain
feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions.
Usually, mood is referred to as the atmosphere of a literary
piece, as it creates an emotional setting that surrounds the
readers. Mood is developed in a literary piece through
various methods, including setting, theme, tone, and diction.
Let us see how writers use the afore-mentioned elements in
their literary works to create a particular mood.
 Tone
The tone of a literary work is the perspective or attitude
that the author adopts with regards to a specific
character, place or development. Tone can portray a
variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave, and
critical to witty, wry and humorous. Tone helps the
reader ascertain the writer’s feelings towards a
particular topic and this in turn influences the reader’s
understanding of the story.
Thank
You