Literary Devices

Writing

strategy

The tools that writers
use to build and express

their ideas

Also known as:

Literary device

Literary technique

Writer moves

This what what the writer

“does.”

Hook

opening lines that grabs the
reader's attention so that

they want to read on.
Also known as a lead.

We can hook the

reader with

figurative language,

description of setting,

dialogue,

a shocking statement
or question, and more!

Central Idea

The main message or
idea that is central to

the text.

A universal truth.

All emotions are momentary

and need to be accepted

without judgement.

Growing pressures from a

church community can lead to

alienation from religion.

Becoming a woman involves the

unfair policing of our sexual

reputation.

This what what the writer

“means.”

Also known as “theme” in literary text

Irony

when reality is the
opposite of your

expectation

I stayed up so late

studying for the test that I

fell asleep while I was
taking it and failed.

Metaphor

comparison between
two things that does
not use “like” or “as”

Life is not a race; it’s a

marathon.

She is the light of my life.

Time is money.

Symbolism

when an object, person, or
place represents an idea
beyond its literal meaning

The rose symbolizes their

love for each other.

Her purple shirt symbolizes

her pride and royalty.

The lottery ticket

symbolized how greed for

money can corrupt people’s

souls.

Personification

Giving human thoughts,
feelings, behaviors, or

descriptions to a non-human

thing or concept

Love is blind!

That pineapple pizza

is calling my name!

Internal
Conflict

When a person struggles
with their own thoughts,

desires, and feelings

Should I lie or confess
that I ate all the candy?

Is god real?

External
Conflict

When a person struggles

against other people,
situation, or society

Trying to solve a crime

Fighting with a friend

Surviving a hurricane

Repetition

Repeating the same word
or phrase multiple times

Stop talking. Stop talking.
Stop talking. Stop talking!

Setting

Where and when the story
takes place, including the
look, sound, smell, and feel

of a place

So I sat there calmly in
that hot, crowded little

church.

Sensory
Details

details that use the five

senses (sight, touch,
sound, taste, or smell)

Brown skin girl, skin

just like pearls

Sandalwood and rose
scented perfume

Literary Text

A creative text that tells a
story or conveys a message.
It uses the imagination and
evokes feelings in the reader.

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Poem
Fiction
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