Literary Devices For Novels

#1 - Allusion
No, this is not illusion, though the two can be confused with one another.
An allusion is a literary device that references a person, place, thing, or event in the real world.
You can use this to paint a clear picture or to even connect with your readers.
Allusions are often used as literary elements that help connect the reader to the works. By
referencing something the reader may be familiar with in the real world, this invests them more
than if you didn't have any connections.
Ex.
"Careful now, you don't want to go opening Pandora's box"
"He was a real good guy ball-buster, the Deadpool of his time"
#2 - Diction
Diction is a literary device that's the choice of words or style used by the writer in order to
convey their message.
Basically, that's a fancy way of saying that diction is the way in which the author wants to write
to a specific audience.
Here are the different types of diction and what they mean:
◦ Formal diction - This is when the word choice is more formal or high class. Oftentimes,
writers use formal diction as a literary device when more educated individuals are
speaking or the content is for those with higher education. (can also be used for a
character who is high class)
◦ Informal diction - When our characters (or you writing a nonfiction) are speaking directly
to everyday people, this type of diction would be use as it's more conversational.
◦ Slang diction - Slang is commonly used for a younger audience and includes newly
coined words or phrases. An example of this would be use of the word, "fleek" or other
new slang phrases.
#3 Alliteration
Gives rhythm
#4 - Allegory
An allegory is a figure of speech where abstract ideas are described using characters, events, or
other elements.
That's more of a fancy way of saying that instead of being literal with an idea, you use
characters, events, or other elements in order to describe it in a way the reader can better
understand.
Think of it like a story within a story. You use characters, events, or other means to
represent the literal meaning.
This one is a little better understood with examples than a definition.
#5 - Colloquialism
One way to increase the world building in your book is to use colloquialisms.
Colloquialisms are expressions, words, and phrases that are used in informal, everyday speech,
including slang.
You can use these a couple of different ways. Firstly, you can use these as slang in the real world
and secondly, you can even create your book's own colloquialisms for their world and culture,
and even when writing dialogue.
#6 - Euphemism
We tend to think of euphemisms as sexual euphemisms, which is how they're often used.
However, euphemisms are actually any terms that refer to something impolite or unpleasant.
We create phrases or other words in order to avoid using the actual term because they're
impolite, rude, or indecent. Those alternatives are considered euphemisms.
This is often why we think of sexual euphemisms when we hear of this literary device. Most
individuals would rather make a much lighter comment when referring to something as
"indecent" as sex, but the same case is made for when someone dies.
Replace to sound a little harsh.
#7 Flashbacks
Flashbacks in literature are when the narrator goes back in time for a specific scene or chapter in
order to give more context for the story.
Oftentimes, we see flashbacks in books where the past greatly impacts the present or as a way to
start a story off on an interesting note. This is seen in Harry Potter whenever Harry gets to see a
memory of the past from Dumbledore or even Snape.
#8 - Foreshadowing
C
Foreshadowing is when the author places elements within the writing that gives clues about what
will happen in the future of the story.
These can often be small bits and pieces that some readers might not pick up on the first read
through.
They might even look back and realize that certain elements were foreshadowing once they hit
the climax or a big plot twist was revealed.
Foreshadowing can be both literal and thematic.
You can write a scene where there's a conversation that the reader can't fully understand the
meaning of until more is revealed.
You can also write a scene that has symbolic elements that foreshadow events, like placing a
black crow in a scene that foreshadows a death, as crows are symbolic of this.
If you really want to up your creative writing, you can even create themes to foreshadow
within your own world.
As an example of this literary device, you can create a culture in which rabbits are a "known"
sign of change and conspicuously place a rabbit in a later scene.
#9 - Imagery
This is one that we briefly touched on above and also one you likely learned in school, though it
may have been a while since then so we'll give you a refresher.
Imagery is when you use visually descriptive or figurative language in your writing. Think of it
more like showing versus telling in writing where you use more sensory language versus blunt,
plain words.
You would also use stronger verbs in order to present stronger imagery in your writing.
#10 Personification
Giving a human characteristic to a non-living thing
Personification Literary Device Example:

Personification Example 1:
The wind whistled past my ears like a familiar tune I'd long forgotten.
The moon yanked a blanket of silver light over the forest.
Squatting in the corner was a felt chair covered in the dust and damp of abandonment.
#11 Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition Literary Device Example:
Juxtaposition Example 1:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of
foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light,
it was the season of Darkness." - A Tales of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
I hate loving you.
You will soon be asked to do great violence in the cause of good. - The Yellow Birds by Kevin
Powers
#12 Metaphor/Simile
Metaphors VS Similes Examples:

Metaphor Example 1:
She was drowning in a sea of her own despair.
Simile Example 1:
It was like she was drowning in a sea of her own despair.
Metaphor Example 2:
His heart was lead, weighed down by the memory of what he'd done.
Simile Example 2:
His heart was as heavy as lead, weighed down by the memory of what he'd
done.
#13 Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia Literary Device Example:
• Buzz
• Zing
• Zap
• Crank
• Splat
• Whoosh
• Boom
• Bang
• Splash
• Creak
#14 Symbolism
Symbolism Literary Device Example:
◦ Crows are used to symbolize a bad omen, like death
◦ The color purple symbolizes royalty
◦ The color red can symbolize death, struggle, power, passion
◦ Spiders can symbolize spying, sneaky, or untrustworthiness
#15 Tone
Narrators opinion

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#1 - Allusion

Personification Literary Device Example:

Metaphors VS Similes Examples:

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