Literary Device

Poetic License

A poet's departure from the rules of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary in order to maintain a metrical or rhyme scheme; can also mean the manipulation of facts to suit the needs of a poem.

Prologue

A prologue can be understood to be a sort of introduction to a story that usually sets the tone for the story and acts as a bit of a backgrounder or a "sneak peek" into the story. Prologues are typically a narrative 'spoken' by one of the characters and not from the part of the author. Example: 1. "The origin of this story is..." 2. "It all began one day when..."

Imagery

In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader. Example: The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds.

Literary Techniques

Structures usually a word s or phrases that writers employ to achieve artistic end, and give readers a greater understanding and appreciation of their literary works. (metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, allegory)

Suspense

Suspense is the intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information. The amount of intensity in a suspenseful moment is why it is hard to put a book down. Without suspense, a reader would lose interest quickly in any story because there is nothing that is making the reader ask, "What's going to happen next?" In writing, there has to be a series of events that leads to a climax that captivates the audience and makes them tense and anxious to know what is going to happen. Example: A cliffhanger is a great way to create suspense. You remember when you were a kid and very excited to watch those Saturday morning shows. You can probably recall the feeling you had at the pit of your stomach when, after about 25 minutes and lots of commercials, you were hoping to find out what happened to your favorite character. However, you didn't get to find out. Instead they would make the "Tune In Next Week" announcement and you already knew that you would be there. Same time, same place. Suspense is a powerful literary tool because, if done correctly, you know your audience will be back for more and more.

Allegory

Symbolism device where meaning of greater or abstract concept is conveyed using more corporeal and understandable objects. Example: Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief and steadfastness will see you to the very top.

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which the sound of a word imitates its sense (for example, "choo-choo," "hiss," or "buzz").

Foil

A foil is another character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes. Example: Dumbledore (Good) vs Voldemort (Bad)

Paradox

A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glace, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight. Example: High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king.

Anecdote

A short verbal accounting of a funny, amusing, interesting event or incident. Example: Winston Churchill was very fond of his pet dog Rufus. When enjoying movies, Rufus had the best seat in the house; on Winston Churchill's lap. While watching "Oliver Twist," Churchill put his hands over Rufus' eyes during the scene where Bill Sike's intends to drown his dog. Churchill is believed to have said to Rufus: "don't look now, dear. I'll tell you about it later."

Symbol(ism)

A symbol is literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Symbol is using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning. Example: The phrase "a new dawn" does not talk only about the actual beginning of a new day but also signifies a new start, a fresh chance to begin and the end of a previous tiring time.

Authorial Intrusion

Author steps away from the text and speaks out to the reader. Example: In many olden novels the protagonist would move away from the stream of the story and speak out to the reader. This technique was often used to reveal some crucial elements of the story to the reader

Bildungsroman

Coming of age novel

Doppelganger

Counterfeit character of a genuine character. Doppelgangers of the main characters usually bear the ability to impersonate the original but have vastly different spirits and intentions. Example: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Personifiication

Definition: Personification is one of the most commonly used and recognized literary devices. It refers to the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals. Example:

Allusion

Figure of speech whereby author makes a reference, such as to a place, event, or literary work. Example: It's no wonder everyone refers to Mary as another Mother Teresa in the making; she is so generous.

Flashback

Flashback is a literary device wherein the author depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the present time the narration is following. Back in the day when Sarah was a young girl... You can see flashbacks used very often in movies.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is used to suggest an upcoming outcome to the story. Example: "He had no idea of the disastrous chain of events to follow". In this sentence, while the protagonist is clueless of further developments, the reader learns that something disastrous and problematic is about to happen to/for him.

Circumlocution

Form of writing where the writer uses exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have otherwise been conveyed through a shorter, much simpler sentence. Example: Instead of writing "At 8 pm he arrived by car for the dinner party." the author writes, "Around 3 hours after sunset, it was winter at the time, the man arrived in a combustion engine driven piece of technology with four wheels to join other bipedal creatures in the ingestion of somewhat large quantities of food and drink while having discourse around a large wooden mesa designed for such a purpose".

Cacophony

Harsh or discordant word sounds that are purposely put together to sound unpleasing to the ear.

Tradegy

In literature, the concept of tragedy refer to a series of unfortunate events by which one or more of the literary characters in the story undergo several misfortunes, which finally culminate into a disaster of 'epic proportions'. Tragedy is generally built up in 5 stages: a) happy times b) the introduction of a problem c) the problem worsens to a crisis or dilemma d) the characters are unable to prevent the problem from taking over e) the problem results in some catastrophic, grave ending, which is the tragedy culminated. Example: In the play Julius Caesar, the lead character is an ambitious, fearless and power hungry king who ignores all the signs and does not heed the advice of the well-meaning: finally being stabbed to death by his own best friend and advisor Brutus. This moment has been immortalized by the phrase "Et tu Brutus?", wherein Caesar realizes that he has finally been defeated, and that too through betrayal.

Nemesis

In literature, the use of a nemesis refers to a situation of poetic justice wherein the positive characters are rewarded and the negative characters are penalized. The word also sometimes refers to the character or medium by which this justice is brought about as Nemesis was the patron goddess of vengeance according to classical mythology. Example: In the popular book series Harry Potter, the protagonist Harry Potter is the nemesis of the evil Lord Voldemort.

Setting

In literature, the word 'setting' is used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events of the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place. Example: In the first installment of the Harry Potter series, a large part of the book takes place at the protagonist, Harry's, aunt's and uncle's place, living in the "muggle" (non-magical) world with the "muggle" folks, and Harry is unaware of his magical capabilities and blood. This setting establishes the background that Harry has a non-magical childhood with other "muggle" people and has no clue about his special powers or his parents and is raised much like, actually worse than, regular people, till his 11th birthday.

Portmanteau

In literature, this device refers to the practice of joining together two or more words in order to create an entirely new word. This is often done in order to create a name or word for something by combining the individual characteristics of 2 or more other words. Example: 1. The word "smog" is a portmanteau that was built combining "fog" and "smoke" and "smog" has the properties of both fog and smoke. 2. Liger= Lion + Tiger= A hybrid of the two feline species, possessing characteristics of both.

Epilogue

Inherent part of literature. Epilogue is an important literary tool that acts as the afterword once the last chapter is over. The purpose of an epilogue is to add a little insight to some interesting developments that happen once the major plot is over. Example: At the end of The Tempest, Shakespeare's wizard Prospero addresses the audience directly, breaking down the boundaries of the play.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a literary device wherein the author places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another. Example: In Paradise Lost, Milton has used juxtaposition to draw a parallel between the two protagonists, Satan and God, who he discusses by placing their traits in comparison with one another to highlight their differences.

Deus ex Machina

Lame cheesy ending where something improbable happens and solves all the problems. Example: If in a suspense novel the protagonist suddenly finds a solution to his dilemmas because of divine intervention.

Literary Elements

Literary Elements have an inherent existence in literary piece and are extensively employed by writers to develop a literary piece (plot, setting, narrative structure, characters, mood, theme)

Epithet

Literary device that is used as a descriptive device. It is usually used to add to a person or place's regular name and attribute some special quality to the same. Example: "Alexander the Great" is the epithet commonly used to refer to Alexander III of Macedon. The young king has come to be recognized by this epithet in all of history.

Analogy

Literary device that relates two concepts based on similarities. Analogies can convey a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for understanding. Example: In the same way as one cannot have the rainbow without the rain, one cannot achieve success and riches without hard work.

Conflict

Literary device used for expressing a resistance the protagonist of the story finds in achieving his aims or dreams. Internal or external

Hyperbation

Literary device wherein the author plays with the regular positioning of words and phrases and creates a differently structured sentence to convey the same meaning. Example: "Alone he walked on the cold, lonely roads". This sentence is a variation of the more conventional, "He walked alone on the cold, lonely roads".

Malapropism

Malapropism in literature refers to the practice of misusing words by substituting words with similar sounding words that have different, often unconnected meanings, and thus creating a situation of confusion, misunderstanding and amusement. Malapropism is used to convey that the speaker or character is flustered, bothered, unaware or confused and as a result cannot employ proper diction. A trick to using malapropism is to ensure that the two words (the original and the substitute) sound similar enough for the reader to catch onto the intended switch and find humor in the result. Example: In the play Much Ado About Nothing, noted playwright William Shakespeare's character Dogberry says, "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons." Instead, what the character means to say is ""Our watch, sir, have indeed apprehended two suspicious persons."

Metaphor

Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits. The first subject, which is the focus of the sentences is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey a degree of meaning that is used to characterize the first. The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject). Example: "Henry was a lion on the battlefield". This sentence suggests that Henry fought so valiantly and bravely that he embodied all the personality traits we attribute to the ferocious animal. This sentence implies immediately that Henry was courageous and fearless, much like the King of the Jungle.

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing. Example: Sometimes we cherish things of little value. He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.

Irony

Playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. Example: Writing a sentence such as, "Oh! What fine luck I have!". The sentence on the surface conveys that the speaker is happy with their luck but actually what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with their (bad) luck.

Point of View

Point of view is the manner in which a story is narrated or depicted and who it is that tells the story. Simply put, the point of view determines the angle and perception of the story unfolding, and thus influences the tone in which the story takes place. The point of view is instrumental in manipulating the reader's understanding of the narrative. In a way, the point of view can allow or withhold the reader access into the greater reaches of the story. Two of the most common point of view techniques are the first person, wherein the story is told by the narrator from his or her standpoint and the third person wherein the narrator does not figure in the events of the story and tells the story by referring to all characters and places in the third person with third person pronouns and proper nouns. Example: In the popular Lord of the Rings book series, the stories are narrated in the third person and all happenings are described from an "outside the story" point of view. Contrastingly, in the popular teen book series, Princess Diaries, the story is told in the first person, by the protagonist herself.

Archtype

Reference to concept, a person, object that has served as a prototype of its kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again. Example: Romeo and Juliet are an archetype of eternal love and a star-crossed love story.

Abecedarian

Related to acrostic, a poem in which the first letter of each line or stanza follows sequentially through the alphabet. See Jessica Greenbaum, "A Poem for S."

Chiasmus

Repetition of any group of verse elements (including rhyme and grammatical structure) in reverse order, such as the rhyme scheme ABBA. Examples can be found in Biblical scripture ("But many that are first / Shall be last, / And many that are last / Shall be first"; Matthew 19:30). Allso John Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn" ("Beauty is truth, truth beauty").

Simile

Similes are one of the most commonly used literary devices; referring to the practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. By using similes a greater degree of meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise simple sentence. The reader is able to better understand the sentiment the author wishes to convey. Similes are marked by the use of the words 'as' or 'such as' or 'like'. Example: He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.

Syntax

Syntax in literature refers to the actual way in which words and sentences are placed together in the writing. Usually in the English language the syntax should follow a pattern of subject-verb-object agreement but sometimes authors play around with this to achieve a lyrical, rhythmic, rhetoric or questioning effect. It is not related to the act of choosing specific words or even the meaning of each word or the overall meanings conveyed by the sentences. Example: The sentence "The man drives the car" would follow normal syntax in the English language. By changing the syntax to "The car drives the man", the sentence becomes awkward.

Anthropomorphism

The act of lending a human quality, emotion or ambition to a non-human object or being. Example: The raging storm brought with it howling winds and fierce lightning as the residents of the village looked up at the angry skies in alarm.

Mood

The literary device 'mood' refers to a definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work. It refers to the mental and emotional disposition of the author towards the subject, which in turn lends a particular character or atmosphere to the work. The final tone achieved thus is instrumental in evoking specific, appropriate responses from the reader. Example: In Erich Segal's Love Story, the relationship of the two protagonists is handled with such beauty, delicateness and sensitivity that the reader is compelled to feel the trials and tribulations of the characters.

Motif

The literary device 'motif' is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through the entire body of literature. Using a motif refers to the repetition of a specific theme dominating the literary work. Motifs are very noticeable and play a significant role in defining the nature of the story, the course of events and the very fabric of the literary piece. Example: In many famed fairytales, the motif of a 'handsome prince' falling in love with a 'damsel in distress' and the two being bothered by a wicked step mother, evil witch or beast and finally conquering all to live 'happily ever after' is a common motif. Another common motif is the simple, pretty peasant girl or girl from a modest background in fairytales discovering that she is actually a royal or noble by the end of the tale.

Cadence

The patterning of rhythm in natural speech, or in poetry without a distinct meter

Stream of Consciousness

The phrase 'stream of consciousness' refers to an uninterrupted and unhindered collection and occurrence of thoughts and ideas in the conscious mind. In literature, the phrase refers to the flow of these thoughts, with reference to a particular character's thinking process. This literary device is usually used in order to provide a narrative in the form of the character's thoughts instead of using dialogue or description. Example: All writings by Virginia Woolff are a good example of literary stream of consciousness. "Life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end." The Common Reader (1925)

Plot

The plot usually refers to the sequence of events and happenings that make up a story. There is usually a pattern, unintended or intentional, that threads the plot together. The plot basically refers to the main outcome and order of the story. There is another kind of plot in literature as well; it refers to the conflict or clash occurring as a part of the story. The conflict usually follows 3 regular formats: a) characters in conflict with one another b) characters in conflict with their surroundings and c) characters in conflict with themselves. Example: Many date movies follow a similar simple plot. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back in the end.

Euphony

The quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through a harmonious combination of words.

Enjambment

The running-over of a sentence or phrase from one poetic line to the next, without terminal punctuation; the opposite of end-stopped. William Carlos Williams's "Between Walls" is one sentence broken into 10 enjambed lines.

Characterization

The step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character. The character can be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character. Example: Michael Corleone was not jus' a mafiaso, but a family man. A man who walked the knife's edge to preserve his sanity.

Theme

The theme of any literary work is the base that acts as a foundation for the entire literary piece. The theme links all aspects of the literary work with one another and is basically the main subject. The theme can be an enduring pattern or motif throughout the literary work, occurring in a complex, long winding manner or it can be short and succinct and provide a certain insight into the story. Example: The main theme in the play Romeo and Juliet was love with smaller themes of sacrifice, tragedy, struggle, hardship, devotion and so on.

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. Example: In her Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling has taken an extremely positive, inspiring and uplifting tone towards the idea of love and devotion.

Satire

The use of satire in literature refers to the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw. The use of satire is often inclusive of a need or decision of correcting or bettering the character that is on the receiving end of the satire. In general, even though satire might be humorous and may "make fun", its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of contempt from the reader. Example: An example of satire in modern popculture is the TV series Southpark that uses satire as it primary medium for drawing attention the flaws in society, especially American society at present. The scripts and writing for the show are an excellent example of satire in written form.

Understatement

This literary device refers to the practice of drawing attention to a fact that is already obvious and noticeable. Understating a fact is usually done by way of sarcasm, irony, wryness or any other form of dry humor. Understating something is akin to exaggerating its obviousness as a means of humor. Example: The phrase, "Oh! I wonder if he could get any later; I am free all day long". Said in a sarcastic tone it indicates that the speaker obviously means the opposite of the literal meaning.

Hyperbole

Use of specific words and phrases that exaggerate meaning of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. Example: "I am so tired I cannot walk another inch" or "I'm so sleepy I might fall asleep standing here".

Euphemism

Using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form. This device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and things "embarrassing". Example: Using "to put out to pasture" when one implies retiring a person because they are too old to be effective.

Dissonance

the opposite of assonance. It occurs when sounds are so different they clash* with each other. Example: from Ted Hughes' Wind: "The wind flung a magpie away and a black- Back gull bent like an iron bar slowly" As he left them there, as he left them there." the difficult sequence of sounds in the lines prevent the verse flowing smoothly, reflecting the gull's hard struggle against the wind.

Consonance

the repetition of a sequence of two or more consonants, but with a change in the intervening vowel. Example: from W.H.Auden's poem 'O where are you going?' "Out of this house"-said rider to reader, "Yours never will"-said farer to fearer, -"They're looking for you"-said hearer to horror,

Assonance

the repetition of identical or similar vowels. This occurs especially in stressed syllables. Example: Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn" "Thou still unravished bride of quietness, Thou foster child of silence and slow time...."