Literary Devices - Narrative Writing and Poetry

A guide to
Literary Devices
Literary Devices
Contents
1. Imagery 13. Stream of Consciousness 25. Metaphor
2. Sensory Language 14. Interior Monologue 26. Extended Metaphor
3. Personification 15. Diction 27. Symbolism
4. Pathetic Fallacy 16. Anthropomorphism 28. Intertextuality
5. Semantic Field 17. Foreshadowing 29. Ekphrasis
6. Motif 18. Tension 30. Chiasmus
7. Synaesthesia 19. Climax
8. Direct Characterisation 20. Poetic Justice
9. Indirect Characterisation 21. Flashback
10. Dialogue 22. Epithet
11. Archetypes 23. Juxtaposition
12. Foils 24. Simile
Literary Devices
31. Anaphora
Contents
44. Assonance 57. Quatrain
32. Anadiplosis 45. Euphony 58. Octave
33. Diacope 46. Cacophony 59. Sestet
34. Caesura 47. Sibilance 60. Volta
35. Anastrophe 48. Onomatopoiea
36. Periodic Structure 49. Iambic Meter
37. Synechdoche 50. Enjambment
38. Situational Irony 51. Stanza
39. Dramatic Irony 52. Authorial Intrusion
40. Verbal Irony 53. Epigraph
41. Paradox 54. Rhyme Scheme
42. Oxymoron 55. Rhyming Couplet
43. Alliteration 56. Heroic Couplet
Setting the Scene:
Developing
Imagery, Mood, and Atmosphere
Imagery
Definition and Usage
Language that helps readers to visualise scenes
and characters, also called ‘picture language’.
Use adjectives of quality and quantity as well as
dynamic (action) verbs to bring your scenes to
life.
Example
The violent wind whipped the autumnal leaves
into the air, leaving them to float gently to the
ground.
In Analysis
The author uses the imagery of… in order to…
Sensory Language
Language used to evoke the senses, including
sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
Example
Sight: see ‘imagery’ poster.
Sound: The bells tolled merrily, ringing through the valley.
Touch: The warmth of the fire rippled through me.
Taste: The bitter medicine stuck in the back of my throat.
Smell: The deep scent of freshly turned earth struck me.
In Analysis
The author uses sensory language to evoke [sense] in order to…
Personification
To personify something is to give an non-
living object human characteristics to
create imagery.
This could be physical features or this could
simply be human actions.
Example
That night, the trees danced wildly in
the forest, swaying and bending in the
wind.
In Analysis
The author personifies the trees by making them
‘dance’ in order to…
Pathetic Fallacy
Author’s use this technique to heighten the
emotion in a scene.
You can create this technique by giving an
aspect of nature a human action which
matches the characters mood.
Example
I was overcome with grief. The clouds closed in,
whispering sorrowfully to me as I walked home.
In Analysis
The author uses pathetic fallacy to develop an atmosphere
of… in order to…
Semantic Field
Authors develop different types of semantic
fields in their writing by using groups of words
together in a section of text that all relate to
one meaning, concept, or theme.
Example
My fingers stiffened in the crisp morning air as
marched through frosty field and over the hard,
dark earth. The puddles had frozen over and there
was a mist all about me.
In Analysis
The author develops a semantic field of temperature to…
Motif Definition and Usage
Authors develop motifs in their texts by
repeatedly depicting the same image, object,
places, or pattern of events.
A motif is like a visual pattern.
Motifs can be used as symbols.
Example
An example could be that, at different points in the
story, the character sees a flock of birds passing
through the sky.
In Analysis
The author uses the motif of… to…
The author uses a … motif to…
Synaesthesia
When verbs used to describe one sense are
borrowed to describe another sense.
For example, if verbs normally used to describe
a sound are used to describe a sight.
Example
The sunlight sung melodically through the
window.
In Analysis
The author adopts the use of synaesthesia in order to…
Developing Characters
Direct Characterisation
Authors use this technique when they
provide direct descriptions of a
character’s personality and physical
appearance.
Example
Liam was a considerate and friendly fellow, who
was admired by his classmates.
In Analysis
The author directly characterises the character as being… to…
Indirect Characterisation
Authors use this technique when they convey
aspects of their characters’ personality, values, or
beliefs through the characters actions and speech.
This is a subtle and engaging way to develop
characters in your writing.
Example
Simba smiled wryly, putting his paw on his chest,
“Who me?” He asked, laughing.
In Analysis
The author indirectly characterises Simba as being… in order to…
Dialogue
Dialogue is the speech and conversations of
characters in a narrative. It is contained inside
quotation marks “ ” to indicate that it is
being spoken out loud by the character.
Example
“Hey buddy! How are you?” Tom asked, as he
walked over to meet Jem.
“Not too bad, thanks, Tom. Yourself?” Jem
replied, as they shook hands.
In Analysis
The author uses this dialogue to…
Archetypal Characterisation
Archetypal characters are those which
have stereotypical (common) features
that are used repeatedly by different
writers.
Example
The witch nodded her crooked nose and climbed
onto her broomstick with an evil cackle.
In Analysis
The character can be seen as an archetypal characterisation of
a/an… due to…
Foils
A foil is a secondary character who displays
physical and/or personality traits that are
opposite to the protagonist (main character).
For example, if the protagonist is a serious
person, the foil might be funny.
Example
Whilst Shrek folded his arms and frowned,
Donkey laughed hysterically.
In Analysis
The author uses Donkey as a foil to Shrek in order to…
Stream of Consciousness
Authors use this technique to capture the way
that humans’ thoughts and feelings flow.
Example
‘The chimes began again, the half-hour. I stood in the belly of my
shadow and listened to the strokes spaced and tranquil along
the sunlight, among the thing, still little leaves. Spaced and
peaceful and serene, with that quality of autumn always in bells
even in the month of bride. Lying on the ground under the
window bellowing He took one look at her and knew. Out of the
mouths of babes. The street lamps The chimes ceased.’
– The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner
In Analysis
The author uses stream of consciousness to…
Interior Monologue
Authors use this technique to capture the way
that humans’ thoughts and feelings flow.
The narrative voice enters the characters
thoughts and narrates these in a free flow
pattern.
Example
She walked around the corner. I must find my way,
she thought to herself, or I’ll never make it on time.
In Analysis
The author uses interior monologue to…
Diction
Diction refers to the selection of words a writer
chooses to use in speech or writing.
A writer’s diction can indicate their use a
particular style, voice, or attempts to create
certain impressions on readers.
Example
1: ‘Yo man, wait up a sec!’
2: ‘Excuse me, Sir. Wait one moment, please.’
In Analysis
The author’s diction is constituted by the use of… to…
Anthropomorphism
This technique is slightly different to personification.
When authors anthropomorphise an object or
animal, they turn it into a character by making it
continually behave like a human being.
Example
Lumiere, the candlestick, raised his arms and began
to sing.
In Analysis
The author anthropomorphises the candlestick to…
Epithet
An adjective or phrase that is used to describe
the characteristics of a person or thing.
Example
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare has the
characters use funny epithets to insult each other in an
argument.
[All to Hermia]
Helena: you counterfeit, you puppet, you!
Lysander: You minimus of hindering knot grass maid; you
bead; you acorn.
In Analysis
The author uses an epithet to characterise… in order to…
Developing
Plot and Tension
Foreshadowing
Authors use foreshadowing to build suspense and
prime readers for changes that happen later in the
story.
They do this by introducing clues earlier in the story
the hint to significant events later in the text.
Example
If a character puts a gun inside their jacket, and
leaves the house, the author is foreshadowing that
something bad will happen later on.
In Analysis
The author foreshadows the way that the character will
become evil by… in order to…
Tension
A moment in the plot of a story when suspense
or turmoil arise.
This may be due to internal conflict within a
character or it may be due to conflict between
characters.
Example
My heart was racing. If I pulled the lever the
whole planet would cease to exist. I moved my
hand.
In Analysis
The author develops tension when… in order to…
Climax
The climax is the highest moment of
tension in a narrative.
This is often the life-changing, plot-
changing, irreversible decision the
protagonist must make.
Example
I knew that if I stepped on that aeroplane,
I’d never see her again. I turned to go.
In Analysis
The novel reaches its climax when…
Poetic Justice
When a character receives a reward or a
punishment that is almost too suitable for
them based on their actions, personality, or
role in the story.
Example
In The Lion King, Scar kills Simba’s father and
lies to Simba in order to become King. In the
end, Scar is killed by his own followers and
Simba becomes King.
In Analysis
The author uses poetic justice when… in order to…
Flashback Definition and Usage
A flashback occurs when the chronological events of a
story, which follow the forward motion of time, are
interrupted and the narrative moves back to a time
before the start of the story.
Example
‘In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me
some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.
“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just
remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the
advantages that you’ve had.”’
– The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
In Analysis
The author uses a flashback when… in order to…
Developing
Meaning and Ideas
Juxtaposition
Authors use this technique when they
describe two opposite places, people,
objects, or ideas, side by side.
Example
On one side of the river, the smoggy city
towered over us but, to our left, the green
fields of the countryside went on for miles.
In Analysis
The author juxtaposes the image of… to…
Simile
A simile is a type of comparison.
A noun or image is compared with a second,
unrelated noun or image.
They are joined using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ or
a comparative adjective + ‘than’
Example
Then wildly, like animals escaped from their cage,
the children ran and ran in shouting circles.
In Analysis
The author uses this simile to…
Metaphor Definition and Usage
A metaphor is a type of comparison.
A noun or image is compared directly
with a second, separate noun or image.
Example
She was an old photograph, dusted from
an album, whitened away and if she
spoke at all her voice would be a ghost.
In Analysis
The author uses this metaphor to…
Extended Metaphor
Authors use extended metaphors when they
continually compare two different nouns or
images in different ways.
Example
My heart is a thundering wave on the shore.
My heart is a deep, uncharted ocean.
Your heart is a frozen iceberg lost at sea.
In Analysis
The author develops an extended metaphor by continually
comparing… with… in order to…
Symbolism
Authors use symbols by using characters,
settings, animals, objects, or events to
represent people, places, ideas, morals, values,
or events from the real world.
Example
The dove is often seen to be a symbol of peace
and reconciliation.
In Analysis
The author uses the dove to symbolise the end
of the conflict in order to…
Borrowing Images and Ideas
Intertextuality
When an author creates a relationship between
their text and another text by borrowing,
echoing, or appropriating ideas, characters,
settings, events, Authors who do this are
intentionally alluding to another text.
Example
John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden is a story
that is based on the Biblical story of Cain and
Abel.
In Analysis
The author develops an intertextual relationship with other text
by… . He/she does this in order to…
Ekphrasis
Authors use ekphrasis when they describe a
famous work of art in their text.
Example
Irrefutable, beautifully smug as Venus, pedestalled
on a half-shell shawled in blond hair and the salt
scrim of a sea breeze, the women settle in their
belling dresses.
– Sylvia Plath
In Analysis
The author provides an ekphrastic description of
Boticelli’s painting The Birth of Venus in order to…
Playing with
Sentence Structures
Chiasmus
A form of repetition where the first half of the
sentence is inverted, or ‘criss-crossed’, in the
second half of the sentence.
Example
Bad men live that they may eat and
drink, whereas good men eat and drink
that they may live.
– Socrates.
In Analysis
The author uses chiasmus to…
Anaphora
Anaphora is a form of repetition where you
repeat the first half of the sentence and
changes the second half, usually at least three
times in a row.
This can be used in both persuasive writing,
poetry, or narrative writing.
Example
I had never seen her do that before.
I had never seen anyone do that before.
I had never known such an action was possible until now.
In Analysis
The author uses anaphora to…
Anadiplosis
Anadiplosis is a form of repetition in
which you repeat the last word in a
sentence or clause as the first word in
the next sentence or clause.
Example
The problem is pollution. Pollution causes
destruction in nature. Nature is what
sustains our existence.
In Analysis
The author uses anadiplosis to…
Diacope
Diacope is a form of repetition in which you
repeat the first word at the end of the
sentence.
It is often used to express strong emotion or to
emphasise a key idea.
Example
To be, or not to be?

In Analysis
The author uses diacope to…
Caesura
A pause or break in the middle of a line of
poetry.
Traditionally, it was marked with this
punctuation mark ||
Today, most writers would use a full stop.
Example
The day is dark and dreary;
It’s raining, ||and the clouds are not weary.
In Analysis
The author uses a caesura to…
Anastrophe
In English, sentences normally follow the
pattern of subject noun + verb + object noun.
Anastrophe changes this order, usually putting
the subject and any modal verb at the end of
the sentence to change the focus.
Example
Hold no grudge you shall.
Forgive your friend you have.
In Analysis
The author uses anastrophe to make readers focus on…
Periodic Structure
A periodic sentence is designed in such a way
that its main clause (main idea), is not revealed
until the end of the sentence.
Example
Renewable energy resources, like wind,
solar, hydro, and geothermal, will be the
answers to Earth’s energy problems.
In Analysis
The author uses a period structure to…
Synecdoche
When a word for a part of something is used to
describe the whole thing or vice versa.
Example
- When people use the word ‘crown’ to
describe the monarch.
- When the word ‘bread’ is used to
refer to food or money.
In Analysis
The author uses the synecdoche ‘crown’ to…
Using Irony
Situational Irony
Situational irony occurs when the circumstances,
situation, or outcome is completely opposite to what is
expected or predicted.
Example
The image on this page demonstrates situational
irony: the sign states that the place is ‘colourful’
but the scenery is colourless and bland.
In Analysis
The author uses irony to…
The author uses develops an ironic scenario
when… in order to…
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience know
something that the character/s do not know.
This can increase suspense or create humour.
Example
In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet walks onto her balcony
calling out Romeo’s name to herself, however, the
audience already know that Romeo is hiding in the
garden below and can hear her talking.
In Analysis
The author uses dramatic irony to…
Verbal Irony
Irony occurs when a writer or speaker conveys their
meaning by using language that would usually mean the
opposite.
This is usually used for humour or emphasis.
Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony.
Example
Win a FREE ride in a police car just by shoplifting
from this story. Lucky winners will also get their
name in the newspaper for their friends and family
to see! Won’t Mum and Dad be proud?
In Analysis
The author uses irony to…
The author uses an ironic statement to…
Paradox
A statement which seems contradictory or
impossible but, once thought about carefully,
may prove to be true.
Example
‘I can resist anything but temptation’ – Oscar
Wilde
‘All animals are equal but some are more equal

than others’ – Animal Farm George Orwell
In Analysis
The author develops this paradox in order to…
Oxymoron
While a paradox takes the form of a statement,
an oxymoron is created when two
contradictory terms are placed beside one
another in a sentence.
Example
Hot ice.
Unusually normal.
Living dead.
In Analysis
The author uses an oxymoron to…
Adding Sound Effects
Alliteration
Repetition of the same letter of sound at the
start of each lexical word in the sentence
(nouns, verbs, adjective, and adverbs).
Example
Vivien is vexingly vixen-like.
Kim’s kids kept kicking Chris.
In Analysis
The author uses alliteration to…
The author uses this alliterative phrase to…
Assonance
The repetition of the same vowel sound
throughout a phrase or sentence.
Example
Try to light the fire.
In Analysis
The author uses assonance to…
The author uses this assonant phrase to…
Euphony
These are phrases or sentences filled with nice,
smooth, flowing sounds mixed together.
Euphonic phrases are pleasant to hear read out
loud and almost sound musical.
Common sounds: L M N KN R F V W S Y TH WH
Example
Flying freely, they know their way home.
In Analysis
The author creates a euphonic phrase to…
Cacophony
Opposite to euphony, cacophony is a sound
based technique that uses harsh, clashing
letter-sounds together. This could be to build
suspense or create meaning.
Common sounds: B C CH D G K NG P Q T
Example
Great big dogs bound up to me,
barking and snapping.
In Analysis
The author uses this cacophonous phrase to…
Sibilance
Sibilance is the repeated use of the ‘s’ and ‘sh’
sounds in a phrase or sentence for effect.
Common letters used: S SH CI CE CY
Example
Slicing like scissors, the serpent
silently slithers through the grass.
In Analysis
The author uses sibilance to…
Onomatopoeia
Authors use this technique to develop sensory
language related to sound in their work.
Onomatopoeic words describe a sound and the
pronunciation of the word is strongly related
to the real sound.
Example
The wind whistles in the trees.
The waves crash upon the shore.
In Analysis
The author uses the onomatopoeic word ‘crash’ to…
Iambic Meter
One iam beat is a measurement in poetry.
An iam is made up of one stressed syllable and
one unstressed syllable.
Meter refers to the amount of iam beats in a line
of poetry.
Example
4 iambic tetrameter: An om-nibus across the bridge
5 iambic pentameter: Shall I compare thee to a sum-mer’s day?
In Analysis
The author uses iambic meter to…
Playing with Text Structures
Enjambment
When an author continues a sentence beyond
the end of a line in a poem.
Example
Autumn showing off colours slowly
letting the splendid
colours flow softly to earth below.
In Analysis
The author uses enjambment to…
Stanza
Groups of lines used to form different sections in a
poem.
Stanzas have different technical names depending on
the number of lines.
Couplet: 2 lines
Tercet: 3 lines
Quatrain: 4 lines
Quintain: 5 lines
Sestet: 6 lines
Octave: 8 lines
Authorial Intrusion Definition and Usage
This is when the author interrupts the story and
adds in details to develop the story.
Alternately, the protagonist may step aside from
the story and address the readers directly.
In a play, this is called ‘breaking the fourth wall’.
Example
Throughout The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Changez, the narrator,
directly addresses a man to whom he directs the rest of the story:
Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed
you. Do not be frightened by my beard; I am a lover of America.
In Analysis
The author intrudes upon the narrative when… in order to…
The playwright breaks the fourth wall when…
Epigraph
A short quotation from another text or speech
placed at the start of a book or chapter.
The epigraph should relate to the book or
chapter’s main theme.
Example
Title of text or chapter here.
‘Epigraph goes here’
- Name of author here
Then launch into the story or chapter in a slightly larger font like this.
In Analysis
The author uses an epigraph from… to…
Rhyme Scheme Definition and Usage
A rhyme scheme is a reoccurring pattern of rhyming
words in a poem.
A rhyme scheme is identified using a letter for each line
in the poem. For example:
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
AABB CCDD EEFF GG
Example
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?  A
Thou art more lovely and more temperate  B
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May  A
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.  B
In Analysis
The author develops an ABAB rhyme scheme to…
Rhyming Couplets
Rhyming couplets are two lines of a poem in
which the last word of each rhymes, meaning it
has the same ending sound.
Simply, two lines, one after the other, that
rhyme.
Example
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
- Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
In Analysis
The author uses this rhyming couplet to…
Heroic Couplets
Heroic couplets are rhyming couplets that are
written in iambic pentameter.
Example
What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones, A
The labor of an age in pilèd stones, A
Or that his hallowed relics should be hid B
Under a star-y pointing pyramid? B
— John Milton, On Shakespeare
In Analysis
The author uses heroic couplets to…
Quatrain
A quatrain is a type of stanza in a poem.
A stanza is a section of a poem.
A quatrain is made up of four lines.
It may defined by a space between stanzas or by a
change in rhyme or meter.
Example
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?  A
Thou art more lovely and more temperate  B
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May  A
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.  B
In Analysis
The author focuses on… in the first Quatrain to…
Octave Definition and Usage
An octave is a section of a poem made up of 8 lines.
A
It is traditionally used at the start of a Petrarchan
B Sonnet.
B Example
1 Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: A
A 2 England hath need of thee: she is a fen B
3 Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, B
A 4 Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, A
5 Have forfeited their ancient English dower A
B 6 Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; B
7 Oh! raise us up, return to us again; B
B 8 And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. A
A In Analysis
The author uses develops [idea] in the Octave to…
Sestet Definition and Usage
The Sestet, or the Sixth, is the second part of a Petrarchan sonnet.
C It is made up of 6 lines and comes after the Octave, which is 8 lines.
Sestets start with a Volta, which changes the focus of the poem.
D
Example
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
E Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
C So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.
D — William Wordworth, London, 1802
E In Analysis
The author uses develops [idea] in the Sestet to…
Volta
The volta is the first two lines of the sestet (the
‘sixth’) in a Petrarchan Sonnet.
The volta shifts the focus or mood of the poem
compared to the focus of the Octave (eighth),
which comes before the Sestet.
Example
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
— William Wordsworth, London 1802
In Analysis
The author shifts the focus from… to… in the Volta to…

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A guide to

To be, or not to be?

‘All animals are equal but some are more equal

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