What are Literary Devices



Two Kinds of Literary Devices

Literary Devices have two aspects. They can be treated as either Literary Elements or Literary Techniques. It will be convenient to define them separately.



To have a better understanding of Literary Devices, it is useful to look at their definition and examples:

Common Literary Elements

  1. Plot: It is the logical sequence of events that develops a story.
  2. Setting: It refers to the time and place in which a story takes place.
  4. Antagonist: It is the character in conflict with the Protagonist e.g. Claudius in the play Hamlet
  5. Narrator: A person who tells the story.
  6. Narrative method: The manner in which a narrative is presented comprising plot and setting.
  7. Dialogue: Where characters of a narrative speak to one another.
  8. Conflict. It is n issue in a narrative around which the whole story revolves.
  9. Mood: A general atmosphere of a narrative.
  10. Theme: It is central idea or concept of a story.

Common Literary Techniques





  • Your bag weighs a ton!
  • I have got a million issues to look after!


  • The flowers are dancing beside the lake.


  • Better butter always makes the batter better.
  • She sells seashells at seashore.




  • The bread is soft as a stone.
  • So nice of you to break my new PSP!

Function of Literary Devices

In general, the literary devices are a collection of universal artistic structures that are so typical of all works of literature frequently employed by the writers to give meanings and a logical framework to their works through language.  When such works are read by readers, they ultimately recognize and appreciate them. Because of their universality, they also allow the readers to compare a work of one writer to that of the other to determine its worth. They not only beautify the piece of literature but also give deeper meanings to it, testing the very understanding of the readers along with providing them enjoyment of reading. Besides, they help motivating readers’ imagination to visualize the characters and scenes more clearly.