Literary devices are techniques that writers use to make their language more powerful, memorable or meaningful. A simile, a repeated sound, a hint about the future and an exaggeration are all literary devices.
Thirty devices sound like a lot, so we have grouped them into six families, each with a short definition and an example. Many also link to a full lesson of their own.
- What literary devices are and why writers use them
- The difference between literary elements and literary techniques
- 30 common literary devices in six groups, with examples
- How to identify devices in a text
- How to write about literary devices in an essay, with a practice quiz
What Are Literary Devices?
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A literary device is any technique that helps a writer guide the reader. It might make a line sound beautiful, help us picture a scene, add humor, create suspense or make an argument more persuasive.
You do not need to memorize hundreds of terms. Most devices belong to a few families. Once you understand the families, new devices become much easier to learn.
Literary Elements vs Literary Techniques
People sometimes use these terms in different ways, but this simple split is helpful.
| Literary elements | Literary techniques | |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | The basic parts every story has | The choices a writer makes |
| Examples | Plot, character, setting, theme, conflict, point of view | Metaphor, alliteration, irony, flashback |
| Question to ask | What is the story about? | How does the writer tell it? |
The 30 devices below are mostly techniques, with a few that shape the whole story.
1. Sound Devices
These devices play with the sound of words. They are common in poetry, songs, slogans and speeches.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | The same first sound in nearby words | “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” |
| Assonance | Repeated vowel sounds | “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” |
| Consonance | Repeated consonant sounds, often at the end of words | “Mike likes his new bike.” |
| Onomatopoeia | Words that sound like what they describe | The bees buzzed and the fire crackled. |
| Pun | A joke using a word with two meanings | “I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.” |
For more wordplay, see our C2 lesson on puns and wordplay.
2. Comparison Devices
These devices explain one thing by connecting it to another.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | A comparison using like or as | He was as brave as a lion. |
| Metaphor | A direct comparison without like or as | “All the world’s a stage.” (Shakespeare) |
| Personification | Giving human qualities to non-human things | The wind whispered through the trees. |
| Analogy | An extended comparison to explain an idea | Just as a key opens a lock, a good question opens a discussion. |
| Allusion | A short reference to a famous story, person or event | Our manager has the Midas touch. |
Learn more in our C2 lesson on metaphor and simile.
3. Contrast Devices
These devices place opposites together to make a point clearer or more surprising.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Juxtaposition | Two different things placed side by side | A palace next to a slum |
| Oxymoron | Two opposite words joined together | Deafening silence |
| Paradox | A statement that seems impossible but is true | Less is more. |
| Antithesis | Opposite ideas in a balanced sentence | “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” |
| Irony | The opposite of what is said or expected | “What lovely weather!” (said during a storm) |
For irony in more depth, see our C2 lesson on irony, sarcasm and understatement.
4. Emphasis Devices
These devices make an idea stronger, louder or more memorable.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperbole | Extreme exaggeration | I’ve told you a million times. |
| Understatement | Making something sound smaller than it is | “It’s a bit chilly,” she said in the snowstorm. |
| Repetition | Repeating a word or phrase for effect | “Work hard, work smart, work together.” |
| Anaphora | Repeating words at the start of nearby lines | “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds…” (Churchill, 1940) |
| Rhetorical question | A question asked for effect, not for an answer | “Who doesn’t want a better future?” |
See how these work in speeches in our C2 lesson on parallelism, rhetorical questions and the rule of three.
5. Image and Meaning Devices
These devices help readers see a scene or find a deeper meaning.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery | Language that appeals to the senses | The bread was warm and smelled of butter. |
| Symbolism | An object that stands for an idea | A dove symbolizes peace. |
| Motif | An image or idea that repeats through a story | Darkness appearing again and again in Macbeth |
| Euphemism | A gentle word used instead of a harsh one | “Passed away” instead of “died” |
For euphemism and word choice, see our C2 lesson on loaded language and euphemism.
6. Story and Time Devices
These devices shape how a story is told and how readers experience time.
| Device | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Foreshadowing | An early hint about a later event | Romeo and Juliet are called “star-cross’d lovers” before the play begins. |
| Flashback | A scene that goes back to the past | Willy Loman relives his past in Death of a Salesman. |
| In medias res | Starting a story in the middle of the action | The Odyssey begins near the end of the hero’s journey. |
| Point of view | Who tells the story (first or third person) | “I opened the door…” vs “She opened the door…” |
| Cliffhanger | Ending a chapter at a moment of suspense | The chapter ends as footsteps stop outside the door. |
| Dramatic irony | The audience knows something a character does not | We know the killer is in the house; the character does not. |
That makes 30 devices. Learn these well, and most of the techniques in an exam text will already be familiar.
How to Identify Literary Devices in a Text
Use these five questions as a checklist when you read.
- Do I notice repeated sounds or words? Look for alliteration, assonance, repetition or anaphora.
- Is something compared to something else? Look for simile, metaphor, personification or analogy.
- Are opposites placed together? Look for juxtaposition, oxymoron, paradox, antithesis or irony.
- Is anything exaggerated or played down? Look for hyperbole or understatement.
- Does the story move in time or hide clues? Look for flashback, foreshadowing or dramatic irony.
Check your answer
How to Write About Literary Devices in an Essay
A strong analysis paragraph follows a simple pattern: name it, quote it, explain it.
Useful phrases: The writer uses… to show…, This creates a sense of…, This suggests that…, The effect on the reader is…, This highlights…
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Listing devices without explaining them. Always say what effect the device has.
- Confusing similar devices. A simile uses like or as; a metaphor does not. An oxymoron is two words; a paradox is a full statement.
- Forcing devices into every line. Not every sentence contains a device. Focus on the most important ones.
- Using the wrong level of detail. In a short essay, analyze two or three devices well rather than ten quickly.
Practice: Test Your Understanding
Part A. Match each example with a literary device: simile, alliteration, hyperbole, oxymoron, foreshadowing, personification.
- The sun smiled down on the children.
- My bag weighs a ton.
- Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
- Her eyes were like stars.
- It was an open secret.
- He waved goodbye, not knowing it would be the last time.
Show answers for Part A
- Personification
- Hyperbole
- Alliteration
- Simile
- Oxymoron
- Foreshadowing
Part B. Which group does each device belong to? Choose sound, comparison, contrast, emphasis, image and meaning, or story and time.
- Assonance
- Flashback
- Antithesis
- Symbolism
- Rhetorical question
Show answers for Part B
- Sound
- Story and time
- Contrast
- Image and meaning
- Emphasis
Part C (writing). Choose a short poem or song you like. Find two literary devices and write one sentence about the effect of each. Check your writing with our AI Writing Feedback tool.
Quiz: Test Yourself
- “The sun smiled down on the children.” Which device is this?
- “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.” Which device is this?
- What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
- “My bag weighs a ton.” Which device is this?
- Which group does antithesis belong to?
- Which of these is a literary element, not a technique?
- “Passed away” instead of “died” is an example of…
- The audience knows the killer is in the house, but the character does not. What is this?
- “The bees buzzed and the fire crackled.” Which device is this?
- In an essay, what matters most when you write about a literary device?
Key Takeaways
- Literary devices are techniques writers use to create meaning and effect.
- Learn them in families: sound, comparison, contrast, emphasis, image and meaning, story and time.
- Literary elements (plot, character, setting) are what a story has; techniques are how it is told.
- To identify devices, look for repetition, comparison, opposites, exaggeration and changes in time.
- In essays, name the device, quote it and explain its effect.
Explore each device in more depth, starting with imagery, symbolism and juxtaposition, or browse more advanced lessons on our C1 Advanced English hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are literary devices in simple words?
Literary devices are techniques writers use to make their language more powerful, memorable or meaningful. Examples include metaphor, alliteration, imagery, foreshadowing and irony.
What are the most common literary devices?
Some of the most common are simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, imagery, symbolism, hyperbole, irony, foreshadowing and flashback.
What is the difference between a literary device and a figure of speech?
A figure of speech is a type of literary device that changes the normal meaning or sound of words, such as a metaphor or an oxymoron. Literary devices also include story techniques like flashback and foreshadowing.
What is the difference between literary elements and literary techniques?
Literary elements are the basic parts of every story, such as plot, character, setting and theme. Literary techniques are the choices a writer makes, such as metaphor or flashback, to shape those elements.
How do I identify literary devices in a text?
Look for anything unusual: repeated sounds or words, comparisons, exaggeration, strong sensory details, or changes in time. Then ask what effect it has on the reader and why the writer chose it.
How do I write about literary devices in an essay?
Name the device, quote the example, and explain its effect. For example: “The simile ‘as cold as stone’ shows the character’s lack of feeling.” Always focus on the effect, not just the name.
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