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In this article, we'll give you the literary element definition, explain how a literary element is different from a literary device, and look at the top nine literary elements you need to know before taking the AP Literature exam.
- Different Literary Devices
In this article, we'll help you get familiar with most...
- Different Literary Devices
Jun 15, 2023 · Literary elements are essential components that build a story, such as plot, narrator, point of view, and setting. Think of literary elements as answering the who, what, where, when, why, and how of a story. If the story lacks an answer to one of these questions, it’s an incomplete story.
- What’s The Difference Between Literary Elements vs. Literary devices?
- The 7 Elements of Literature
- How to Use Literary Elements to Write A Great Story
Sometimes you’ll see a “literary elements list” or “literary devices list” that toss the two together in one big storytelling melange, but literary elements and literary devices are actually two very distinct things. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
1. Character
The most fundamental of the literary elements, the root of all storytelling, is this: character. No matter what species your main character belongs to, what their socio-ethno-economic background is, what planet they come from, or what time period they occupy, your characters will have innate needs and desires that we as human beings can see within ourselves. The longing for independence, the desire to be loved, the need to feel safe are all things that most of us have experienced and can rela...
2. Setting
Your setting is where, when, and to some degree how your story takes place.It’s also your character’s relationship with the world around them. A story setting might be as small as a cupboard under the stairs, or it might be as wide and vast as twenty thousand leagues of endless grey sea. A short story might have only one setting, the heart of where the story takes place; longer works such as novels will probably have several. You can use all five senses to develop your setting. Setting often...
3. Narrative
The way you’re telling your story to the reader is as essential as the story that’s being told. In literary terms, narrative is the perspective from which the events of the story are unfolding and the way that you, as the author, have chosen to communicate them. Every single character brings a different perspective to the story. They may have prejudices, limitations, prior knowledge, or deep character flaws that colour the way they see the world around them. Some stories stay with only one ch...
There are as many ways to begin a story as there are storytellers. We’ve reviewed the seven literary elements that are the basic building blocks of all good stories: We’ve looked at how characters are the lifeblood of every story; how our characters are shaped by their world, or setting; how characters reveal themselves through the events of the pl...
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- Allusion. An allusion is a literary device that indirectly refers to external people, events, or things. An easy way to remember the definition of an allusion is to think of the verb “allude.”
- Alliteration. Alliteration is when words with the same sound or letter appear in a sentence, often consecutively. Popular uses for alliteration include book titles, business names, nursery rhymes, and tongue twisters.
- Anaphora. Anaphora is similar to alliteration in the sense that it relies on repetition. The difference is that an anaphora repeats the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences.
- Diction. Diction is the literary element that’s all about word choice. The specific choice of words used helps determine the style in which the person is speaking or writing.
- Allegory. An allegory is a story that is used to represent a more general message about real-life (historical) issues and/or events. It is typically an entire book, novel, play, etc.
- Alliteration. Alliteration is a series of words or phrases that all (or almost all) start with the same sound. These sounds are typically consonants to give more stress to that syllable.
- Allusion. Allusion is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea originating from outside the text. Many allusions make reference to previous works of literature or art.
- Anachronism. An anachronism occurs when there is an (intentional) error in the chronology or timeline of a text. This could be a character who appears in a different time period than when he actually lived, or a technology that appears before it was invented.
Literary devices and terms are the techniques and elements—from figures of speech to narrative devices to poetic meters—that writers use to create narrative literature, poetry, speeches, or any other form of writing. All.
Jan 26, 2023 · Whether you’re studying for the AP Lit exam or looking to improve your creative writing, this article is crammed with literary devices, examples, and analysis. Contents. What are Literary Devices? Literary Devices List. Metaphor. Simile. Analogy. Imagery. Symbolism. Personification. Hyperbole. Irony. Juxtaposition. Paradox. Allusion. Allegory.