Literary devices are words and phrases that help to create a story and add meaning. They can come in the form of onomatopoeias (sounds), symbols (themes), or even just a simple “if…then” statement. Below are some examples of literary devices.
Thoreau’s “if…then” statement
One of the most famous Thoreau quotes is “The best way to find out is to stay out of it”. In his writings, Thoreau uses rational arguments and a bit of hyperbole to make his point. He does not want to be known as a conformist, though he does believe that society teaches people to act contrary to their true selves.
In his essay “The Bean-Field,” Thoreau gives his readers an unexpected twist. He makes them think about the meaning of life.
The first and most obvious is a metaphor. For example, he compares farming to falling. Moreover, he boasts about his amateurish techniques.
Interestingly, he also uses deductive logic to demonstrate his case. Another example is his use of the “if…then” statement.
Mark Twain’s macabre imagery
Mark Twain was a Southerner who wrote about life along the Mississippi. His descriptions are bewitching and terrifying. He describes the river as a power, as beauty, and as pleasure.
The Mississippi represents contradictions in his life. He sees it as a symbol of frontier life. And in his work, he expresses the deep disappointment he felt for human beings.
Twain’s work has been compared to that of Edgar Allan Poe. But it is a mistake to assume that their styles are the same. Their resemblances are often obscured by prevailing biases.
Twain and Poe were also deeply political. Both men were active in debates and quarrels over political issues.
Juxtaposition
In literature, juxtaposition is a technique used to compare two seemingly unrelated concepts, ideas, or characters. By placing one thing against another, it may help readers understand a character’s perspective, reveal a logical connection between two vague concepts, or demonstrate the superiority of one idea over another.
There are many types of literary juxtaposition. Some examples include: A tale of two cities, the most significant, and the simplest.
The most common literary use of juxtaposition is to compare the good with the bad. One person’s lighthearted characteristics might be contrasted with a dreary setting. Another is a clever use of irony.
Several literary works have incorporated the use of the ole’ fashioned juxtaposition, including The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Paradise Lost. These works all use it to achieve their respective goals.
Onomatopoeias
Onomatopoeia is a type of literary device that is used to create sound effects in writing. These sounds are modeled after natural sounds of the thing being described.
Many authors use onomatopoeia to evoke feelings in their readers. They can also be used to enhance a piece of music or play. Regardless of how it is used, onomatopoeia can make writing more interesting. It can help the reader imagine what the sound is or create a sense of empathy.
Onomatopoeia can be used to imitate the sound of a person or an animal. For example, a person can make an exclamation when they are excited. A pig is said to oink in English. Some other common onomatopoeia are mechanical sounds. These include buzz, tick-tock, and boing.
Symbolism
Symbolism is a literary device that allows a writer to add emotional weight to his or her text. It can be subtle, obvious, or a combination of both. Using symbols can make your writing more compelling and memorable to your readers.
A symbol is an abstract idea, event, person, or word that is represented by an actual object. Often, this is done through a description, an object, or a date. However, the true meaning of a symbol can be hard to decipher.
Some writers have a knack for creating interesting symbolism. For example, The Great Gatsby uses a green light as a representation of Daisy.
Tone
The word tone has been used in literary circles to describe the mood and tone of a passage, stanza, or poem. When you’re trying to figure out what a piece of writing is all about, you’ll need to know the author’s voice.
The most obvious way to do this is to read the text out loud, but you may also want to use a dictionary or an electronic dictionary to ensure you’re not missing anything. Having a basic understanding of what’s in your reading material will help you to form a meaningful opinion of the work, and will keep you from being blindsided by an overused or over-the-top phrase.
