In an allegorical story, things represent more than they appear to on the surface. AllegoryĪn allegory is a type of narrative that uses characters and plot to depict abstract ideas and themes.

Here are the literary devices you should know: 1. We first recommend downloading the below free checklist to refer to as you read this post - let's get started!Ĥ5+ literary devices everyone should know Now for the pièce de résistance: our full list of literary devices. Click here to learn more about rhetorical devices. That said, there can still be quite a bit of overlap between the two. The difference is that literary devices can be used to enhance writing in many different ways, not all of which involve trying to convince readers of something.īasically, literary devices are artistic rhetorical devices are informative and persuasive. We'll also note that some literary devices double as rhetorical devices, which are used to convey meaning and/or persuade readers on a certain point. Some may be characteristic of specific genres - for example, you'll often see flashbacks and foreshadowing in psychological thrillers - while others, like similes and metaphors, can be found in just about any text. Again, they vary in terms of what they do: some of them relate to word usage and description, while others relate to how scenes play out. You've probably heard of most (if not all) of the devices above. Indeed, some devices show up so frequently, you may not even register them as you're reading! The most common literary devices are: But here's a good rule of thumb: if you're reading a book and you find the author using language or narrative structure in an unusual way, there's probably a literary device at work. Of course, for readers, literary devices can be difficult to identify.

No matter what, if you're looking to inject something special into your prose, literary devices are a great place to start. They may also work subtly to improve the flow and pacing of your writing. Some might work on an intellectual level, while others have a more emotional effect. These devices serve a wide range of purposes in literature.

A metaphor, for instance, is a famous example of a literary device.

A literary device is a writing technique that writers use to express ideas, convey meaning, and highlight important themes in a piece of text.

Amy harmon what the wind knows