Types of Literary Device With Examples

In this article, we’ll explore four different literary devices: Personification, Flashback, In Media Res, and Metaphor. You can also learn about other literary devices like allegory and metaphor. In this article, we’ll examine the various types of literary devices and their uses in stories. By the time you’re done, you should have a firm grasp of what they are and how they can be used effectively. Let’s get started!

Metaphor

Metaphor is a device in literature, and writers can use it in their work in many ways. They can describe situations or objects in a more evocative way, or they can create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. A metaphor is a comparison between two or more things that are different, but they have a common element to make the comparison more realistic. A metaphor must be clear and vivid for the reader to understand it.

A metaphor is a literary device that enables a writer to pack multiple descriptions into a single sentence. A direct description doesn’t convey the full scope of the tree, and a metaphor does. It uses words like “like” and “as,” which imply similarity. It carries more meaning than a direct description because it evokes a deeper understanding of the subject. It can also be a mixed metaphor,’ where a comparison is made from one object to another, without using comparison words.

A metaphor draws a comparison between two things, typically unrelated. It combines the two things but does so in a way that appeals to readers’ emotions and senses. When used correctly, it can add depth to a story or evoke a powerful emotional response. But it can also be awkward and unintentionally used in everyday conversation. But, how do you tell the difference between a metaphor and a concrete comparison? Read on to find out more about this literary device.

Personification

When used in a creative piece, personification can be a powerful tool for descriptive power, visual impact, and emotional impact. It is also used more often in advertising than you might think. Consider the Pillsbury Dough Boy, M&Ms commercials, and the like. Using personification in a creative piece can make a story more memorable and evocative. However, you should be careful not to overdo it.

A good example of personification is in George Orwell’s famous novel Animal Farm, where he makes non-human animals appear like human characters. The animals in the book represent the effects of severe social unrest. They behave and interact as humans would. This literary device has several uses, including in fiction. For example, one of the most common uses of personification in writing is in the context of war. If a story is based around war, the use of personification can help justify war crimes.

In a short story, for example, the wind personifies time. Although time itself is not human, it can act like one in a song or poem. It is impossible for objects to speak, fly, melt, or spark, but writers use personification to give a non-human object special characteristics. It is also an effective literary device when used with purpose, as a character will be more engaging if it is a real person.

In Media Res

In media, the res is a common structural device that begins a story in the middle of the action. This technique allows writers to tell several storylines at once, advancing one in the past, while establishing the current one in the present. Media res can enhance a novel, explaining plotlines and proving important themes. It can also be effective in nonfiction works. This article will explore five of the most popular examples of in media res.

In media, the res is a Latin phrase that means “in the middle of things.” This technique allows the writer to place the reader right in the middle of a story. It can also mean “without preamble” or “without preamble,” meaning that the story begins in the middle of an action or scene, and it forces the reader to rely on dialogue or flashbacks to get information. Students often don’t understand how important context is in a story.

One of the best examples of media res comes from Homer’s Odyssey, a poem in which the narrator retells the story of Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War. The Odyssey begins with an argument between two suitors, but the novel does not reveal the identity of the one who sailed back to the island in the first place. This creates more dramatic scenes that make the events in the story more memorable.

Flashbacks

Flashbacks are a literary device that interrupts the current plot to reveal an event that occurred earlier. In a story, a flashback can occur when a character reflects on an event that happened in the past, prior to the opening scene. For example, a girl who is afraid of heights might remember an experience she had as a student, or a man who is unusual in his behavior might remember what he did while in the army. In some cases, the flashback can be triggered by a character’s behavior or the object that triggers the memory.

Another example of flashbacks is in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. The story begins with Lockwood’s arrival at Thrushcross Grange, a house next door to Wuthering Heights. Lockwood becomes intrigued with the story that unfolds around the house and meets the Earnshaws. This makes him curious about the lives of the residents of the house, and the ensuing romance between Heathcliff and Cathy is revealed.

A literary device can be overused and not be effective in every story. When used in excess, flashbacks can make a story feel choppy and confusing. Likewise, too many flashbacks can make readers question whether a story should be set in the present. The best way to avoid this is to keep the flashbacks to a minimum. Flashbacks should be used sparingly. A character may remember an incident that happened in the past, but his or her memory might be too frightened to share it with others.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a literary device that makes a character seem to be exaggerating. It is often used to convey intense feelings. It can also be used to make characters laugh. The examples below show how hyperbole can be effective in a story. Once you understand the concept of hyperbole, you can apply it to your own writing. However, be sure to research this literary device before you use it in your own work.

One of the most common uses of hyperbole is to compare two things that are radically different. For example, the word “black sheep” means an unusual family member. Black sheep are often the most rejected by the herd because they are not like the rest. Therefore, they may not be the most accepted by the herd. Although they are exaggerated, the black sheep metaphor isn’t hyperbole.

Another example of hyperbole is in the play Macbeth, where the character feels a terrible prick of conscience after killing the king. He believes that the blood on his hands is so bad that oceans of the greatest size will never be able to wash it away. For instance, if the Eiffel Tower is ten miles tall, then it would be more accurate to say “eighty feet tall.” While hyperbole sounds like it is out of place in Shakespearean texts, it can make a writer’s story more vivid and dramatic.

Isocolon

An isocolon is a literary device in which two portions of a sentence are identical and are referred to as synonymous. This literary device is used to emphasize a certain point in a passage and is also used in pithy statements and abstract diction. Read the following examples of isocolon use in literature to better understand its purpose. You will also find examples of isocolon use in music, poetry, and speeches.

“What the hammer?” or “What the chain” are examples of isocolons in Blake’s poem. Likewise, “What the dread grasp” contains an example of a bicolon. In both cases, the speaker of the sentence is asking, “What’s so horrible about this hammer?”