“The Essay is a Literary device for saying

almost everything about almost anything.”

-Aldous Huxley-
 What are Literary devices?
 Literary devices are narrative techniques that add texture,
energy, and excitement to the narrative, grip the reader's
imagination, and convey information.

 A writer uses Literary devices while writing their work in order to

give out their facts effectively.

 While there are literally hundreds of literary devices at an

author's disposal, what follows are a handful of the most
common.
Types of Literary Devices
 Metaphor
 Simile
 Irony
 Repetition
 Hyperbole
 Juxtaposition
 Run-on-line/ Enjambment
 List of three
 Alliteration
 Metaphor
The comparison of one image or event to another
image or event is called a “Metaphor”
Authors often find it very useful to compare their
descriptions to such images which brings out the
meaning more effectively.
The usage of Metaphors differed from every era.
The metaphors used in Metaphysical Poetry,
Romantic Poetry and Courtly love Poetry has a
vast difference.
In courtly love poems, women were compared
to roses while in Metaphysical poetry, they have
moved away from the traditional metaphors.
In the poem, "A Valediction Forbidden
Mourning” by John Donne, he compares two lovers
to a compass.
This shows how metaphors differed from era
to era.
The Novel, “July’s People” by Nadine Gordimer…
“A ship that docked in a far country…”
 This metaphor highlights how the Smales are facing difficulties
while trying to adjust to the life in the. village

The short story, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker…

“Held life always in the palms of one hand”
This metaphor suggest about the fortunate life lead by Dee.

The poem, “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake…

“Were all of them locked up in coffins of black”
Shows how children are imposed on this brutal hard labor and
how it torments them even in their sleep.
 Simile
a figure of speech that expresses the
resemblance of one thing to another of a
different category, usually introduced
by as or like.

e.g. as brave as a lion

The Novel, “July’s People” by Nadine Gordimer…
“Like the still beating heart in the slit chest of a creature
already dead”
This simile appropriately captures the tension and fear Maureen
feels owing to ethnic tension.
The short story, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker…
“As merciless as a man”
This shows that Mama is compelled to be intensive and tough.

The poem, “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake…

“That curled like lamb’s back”
This indicates the innocence of children who are compelled to bare
this burden.
 Irony
The expression of one's meaning by using
language that normally signifies the opposite,
typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

A literary technique, originally used in Greek

tragedy, by which the full significance of a
character's words or actions is clear to the
audience or reader although unknown to the
character.
The poem, “Design” by Robert Frost…
“I found a dimpled spider, fat and white”
There is irony trying to relieve a very complex issue. Spiders
are neither fat nor white.
 Repetition
Repetition is the simple repeating of a word, within a short
space of words (including in a poem), with no particular
placement of the words to secure emphasis
The poem, “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake…
“Weep! Weep! Weep! Weep!
This direct speech emphasizes that the child is still a baby.

The short story, “Action and Reaction” by Chitra Fernando…

“Its my karma”
This repetition shows the direct relationship between the title
and the overall meaning of the story.
 Hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Example:
The poem, “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake…
“That thousands of sweepers”
 To emphasize on the fact that many children were compelled to live their lives while
carrying the burden of being a sweeper.

The peom, “Goe and Catch a falling Starre” by John Donne...

“Ride ten thousand daies and nights”
 To exaggerate how hard it is to find a true and constant woman.
 Juxtaposition
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with
contrasting effect.
Example:
The short story, “Action and Reaction” by Chitra Fernando…
“She’s like my own daughter. Its my karma”
 She’s afraid of Kusuma. Finally Loku Nanda seems to understand her mistakes.
 Run on line /
Enjambment
The continuation of a sentence
without a pause beyond the end of
a line, couplet, or stanza.

Example:
The poem, “The Chimney
Sweeper” by William Blake…
“Leaping, laughing , they
run,
And wash in a river, and shine in
the sun”
The short story, “Action and Reaction” by Chitra Fernando…
“Loku Nanda’s chest heap… sparks of fire”
Creates a demonic image of Loku Nanda.
 Alliteration
The occurrence of the same letter or sound
at the beginning of adjacent or closely
connected words.
Example:
The poem, “The Chimney Sweeper” by
William Blake…
“So your chimneys I Sweep and
in Soot I Sleep”
The alliteration encourages the
readers to think about the responsible
individuals who forced these lives of
children into a misery.
 A PRESENTATION BY THE GRADE 12
LANGUAGE STUDENTS OF REPUBLICAN
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2019 A/L BATCH.