Literary Devices in a Narrative

1. 10 Enriched

2. Antithesis
A statement in which two opposing ideas
are balanced
 “A boy who died and was reborn in the
same day.”


3. Anadiplosis
The repetition of the last word (or
phrase) from the previous
line, clause, or sentence at the
beginning of the next
 “I am a memory. A memory of
someone who once was.”


4. Flashback

The insertion of an earlier event into the
normal chronological order of a narrative
 “Whatever Happened to Superheroes?”
 Flash forward?

5. Pun

A play on words, often achieved through
the use of words with similar sound but
different meanings
 “…often the spoils of war spoil the victory.”
 Play on noun vs. verb

6. Alliteration

The repetition of initial sounds in
successive or neighboring words
 “…the fundamental fragments of my
family…” from “I am a Memory”

7. Imagery

The use of literary devices to create
vivid images that appeal to one of the
senses

8. Hyperbole

Intentional exaggeration to create an
effect
 “Tonight I won the right to the streets of
Memphis.”

9. Similes

A comparison of two things using “like”
or “as”
 Limit of two per paper

10. Metaphors

A direct comparison of two different
things
 “Juliet is the sun.”

11. Telegraphic Sentence

Sentence with six words or less.
 Best used after many long sentences.
 Often a simple sentence.
 Climax or as a terminal sentence