Literary Devices & Figurative Language

Literary devices and figurative language are tools that an author uses to draw in the reader.
They help the reader to get a better understanding of what's happening in a story or a poem.
Below are some definitions and examples of these types of literary devices and figurative
language:

Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighbouring words. It may be used
by the author for sound and rhythm, or to paint a vivid description in the reader’s mind in a
catchy manner.
Example:
My big, bull of a brother stubbornly bought a new pitbull despite being asked not to do so.
The lonely, lonesome lion roared in the moonlight.

Euphemism
A euphemism is a milder, less direct term that means the same thing as one that is considered
harsh, blunt, or offensive.
Example:
Original Statement: "She passed away last night."
Euphemism: "She passed away" is a euphemism for "She died."

Flashback
A flashback interrupts the plot of a story and goes back to a past event. When a story is told in
flashbacks, it's usually done to show how something or someone was before the story took
place.
Example:
Shilpa closed her eyes and let the sound of the waves wash over her. As the sun warmed her
skin, her mind drifted back to that summer when she was eight years old. She could still hear
the laughter of her friends echoing in her ears as they played in the maidan.
 Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is where future events in a story, or sometimes the outcome, are suggested or
hinted to by the author before they happen. Foreshadowing builds suspense, anticipation and
eagerness in the reader.
Example:
As Detective Bablu stepped out into the dimly lit narrow gully, he had a strange feeling in the
pit of his stomach. The wind howled and the streetlamp overhead flickered, casting eerie
shadows on the cold, wet pavement.
Little did he know that this gully would become a pivotal turning point in the case, a place
where secrets would be unveiled and lives forever changed.

Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
Examples:
This book weighs a ton.
I could sleep for a year.

Idiom
An idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself
grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements. They add
colour and creativity to speech by making the language of describing something or a situation
more memorable. It can also be used for humour, irony or wordplay.
Examples:
Don't put your eggs in one basket!
The new iPhone 15 costs an arm and a leg.
I made a mistake but there’s no use crying over spilled milk.
I have done everything I can to help you; now the ball is in your court.
 Imagery
Imagery is an author's use of descriptive and figurative language to create a vivid picture in
the reader's mind, enhance atmosphere or mood, help in symbolism or carrying themes in the
story or to make comparisons.
Imagery could be of a variety of types:
- Visual Imagery (Sight): This type of imagery creates mental pictures by describing
what something looks like or how it appears.
Example: "The deep blue ocean stretched out to the horizon, with waves crashing
against the rocky cliffs."

- Auditory Imagery (Sound): Auditory imagery focuses on sounds and can help the
reader "hear" the text in their mind.
Example: "The wind whispered through the trees, and the birds sang a sweet melody
in the distance."

- Gustatory Imagery (Taste): This type of imagery relates to the sense of taste and
describes flavours and tastes.
Example: "The rich chocolate cake melted in her mouth, a symphony of sweetness
and indulgence."

- Olfactory Imagery (Smell): Olfactory imagery invokes the sense of smell by

describing scents and odours.
Example: "The air was filled with the fresh scent of blooming flowers, carried by a
gentle breeze."

- Tactile Imagery (Touch): Tactile imagery conveys the sense of touch, texture, and
physical sensations.
Example: "The soft, warm sand tickled her toes as she walked along the beach."

- Kinaesthetic Imagery (Movement or Motion): This type of imagery describes physical

movement or sensations in the body.
Example: "She danced with grace and fluidity, moving across the stage like a leaf
carried by the wind."

- Gustatory Imagery (Taste): This type of imagery conveys taste sensations, flavours,
and the experience of eating or drinking.
Example: "As she gulped down the Paani Puri, the tangy taste of the pudina water
danced on her taste buds, leaving a fiery explosion of flavour in her mouth."

- Olfactory Imagery (Smell): Olfactory imagery invokes the sense of smell, describing
scents and odours in detail.
Example: "The aroma of freshly made naan wafted through the air, drawing people to
the restaurant."
 - Tactile Imagery (Touch): Tactile imagery focuses on sensations related to touch,
texture, and physical contact.
Example: "The rough bark of the old coconut tree scratched his palms as he climbed
higher."

- Spatial Imagery (Physical Space): This type of imagery helps readers visualize the
physical layout or arrangement of objects or locations.
Example: "The room was small and cramped, with furniture pushed against the walls
to create more space."

- Temporal Imagery (Time): Temporal imagery relates to the sense of time and can
describe the passage of time or moments in history.
Example: "The clock's ticking echoed through the empty room, marking the passing
minutes."
These different types of imagery allow writers to engage readers' senses and create a more
immersive and vivid reading experience by appealing to various sensory perceptions. Writers
choose the type of imagery that best suits their purpose and helps convey their intended
message or atmosphere in a story or poem.