Literary devices are certain types of tools that authors use to express their ideas in their literary works. If you are a student of English literature, you will find lots of common literary devices that authors use in their writing to express their feelings and thoughts. Getting an idea about those literary devices also helps you to write an essay, an assignment, a story, etc. Such literary devices beautify the works of literature and make the literature more memorable. You can use them in your assignment too. But, before that, you must understand the meaning and usage in the literature.
Understanding Different Types of Literary Devices and Their Usage
You may ask professionals to do my assignment. However, you should ensure that they also use such literary devices to enrich your writing. Now, you must understand them well. Read on to know more:
Simile and Metaphor
These two are some of the most commonly used literary devices in different writings. Both of them are used for showing a comparison between two things. However, the uses of these literary devices are different from each other. You must use ‘like,’ ‘as,’ etc., to express the feeling of simile in your writing. For example, ‘You are as beautiful as a rose.’ The use of metaphor is different from that. Here, you don’t need to use any such terms. Instead, you write the sentence in a way that it expresses the comparison subtly. For example, ‘Your beauty reminds us of a rose.’ You can use simile and metaphor in descriptive writing, like fiction, poetry, etc.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of a word or sound in nearby words. It creates a rhythmic tune in your writing and gives a feel-good factor. Authors usually use alliteration more in writing poetry or in special areas where they want to emphasise the mood. Try not to use too much of this literary device. It can make your writing monotonous and difficult to understand.
Example: ‘She sells seashells by the seashore.’
Personification
When you bring an abstract idea or an inanimate object to life, you are using personification. It gives a beautiful image to the readers of the sentence. Also, it leaves many things to their imagination. Thus, your readers feel an emotional connection with your writing. They can visualise the incidents clearly and become more imaginative to enjoy your writing.
Example: The sunflowers were dancing in the sun.
Hyperbole
Sometimes, in literature, writers have to make some exaggerations to express their feelings. Such exaggeration enhances the meaning of the sentences and makes them more appealing to the readers. Usually, you can use hyperbole to intensify your ideas in your writing. Also, you can add it to make your writing dramatic and humorous. However, you must be careful to use it so that it doesn’t make your writing unrealistic.
Example: ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood?’ (Macbeth, Hyperbole)
Irony
Irony shows the contrast between your thoughts and expression. In literature, you can use three types of irony, such as
- Verbal Irony: When you say the opposite of what you actually mean. For example, if a student says, ‘Wonderful, I got another assignment to do!’ It means he is not willing to do it anymore.
- Dramatic Irony: Such types of irony are used in drama, movies, etc. Here, the audience knows something that the characters don’t. For example, in a horror movie, the audience knows there is a ghost under the bed, but the character doesn’t know it.
- Situational Irony: Sometimes, the opposite of your expectation occurs. This is called situational irony. For example, a great robbery was committed in the house of a police officer.
Using irony can make your writing deep and full of layers. Also, it can add humour and create tension in the writing.
Foreshadowing
This literary device is quite interesting. It gives readers or viewers clues about what is going to happen. Sometimes, you watch movies or serials where you find a storm is building while a happy scene is going on. Such incidents are known as foreshadowing. Authors can use subtle foreshadowing through symbols or dialogue. Besides, narrators also use direct foreshadowing, where they give clues about coming events. Use of this literary device raises the curiosity in readers to see how the characters handle those situations.
Symbolism
When an object or an event is represented by a deeper meaning, you can use symbols. Sometimes, authors want to say something indirectly to the readers. Then, they use symbolism and leave their work to the readers’ imagination. So, if you are using symbolism in your writing, make sure those are relevant and meaningful. For example, using ‘blue blood’ in writing denotes the aristocratic background of someone.
These are some of the common literary devices you can use in your writing. Being a student of English literature, you get to know all these and more. If you want professional help, you can get assistance from Instant Assignment Help.
Conclusion
If you are a student of English literature or you have an interest in writing in English, you can use these common literary devices. They can help you enhance your ideas in your writing and build a connection with the readers. While readers understand the symbolisms that express something intense, hyperbole is for exaggerating facts in your writing. Thus, readers get attracted to your writing and go through till they finish reading it.
