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Step 1
Learn the definitions of literary devices. See Resources for a list. The list isn’t exhaustive, but you can find more definitions on websites, in literature textbooks and anthologies.
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Step 2
Find examples of literary devices in works of literature. Knowing definitions is a good start, but being able to identify them in poetry, fiction and nonfiction is important. You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned.
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Step 3
Explain why these are accurate examples of literary devices. For example, if you’ve found a simile, you can say “‘My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun’ is a simile because the speaker compares his lover’s eyes to the sun using ‘like.’”
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Step 4
Think about why the author or poet is using certain literary devices in the work. Consider how these devices give you a better understanding of the work as a whole. For example, anastrophe emphasizes the line or sentence in which it’s used. This causes the reader to slow down and pay attention to the odd wording. You can ask why the writer chose to emphasize that particular line or sentence.
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Step 5
Think about how literary devices add to the subtext of the work. The subtext is what is being said without being stated outright. For example, a character’s feelings are hurt by his friend. Instead of saying he’s been hurt, he responds with biting sarcasm.
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Step 6
Include the discussion of literary devices in your analysis of literature. When you’re writing a paper, you don’t have to say “Poe then uses the literary device of foreshadowing.” Talk about how Poe uses foreshadowing to build a sense of dread, create a mood or tell the reader to expect the inevitable. An understanding of literary devices will improve your ability to talk about literature.
Comments
grouch said
on 1/26/2008 Thanks for the loads of great information.