Lesson 30 — Activity 3: Other Literary Techniques
Completion requirements
Lesson 30 — Activity 3: Other Literary Techniques
In addition to using words that are vivid and appeal to the reader's senses, an author will use many literary devices in order to bring the characters to life and engage the reader in the story. If you pay attention, you will notice that you use these
devices in your everyday conversations.
You have previously been introduced to literary devices. You will remember the most common literary devices that are used are similes and metaphors.
You have previously been introduced to literary devices. You will remember the most common literary devices that are used are similes and metaphors.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Pixabay
Let’s review these devices, starting with similes:
By using a simile to compare Alberta to an ice cube, the reader gets a sense as to just how cold it can be.
Metaphors do the same job, but more directly, by actually identifying something as something else:
By using a metaphor, the reader subconsciously thinks of a blue sky, which makes it clearer just how blue the girl's eyes are.
- In January, Alberta is extremely cold.
- In January, Alberta is like an ice cube in the freezer.
By using a simile to compare Alberta to an ice cube, the reader gets a sense as to just how cold it can be.
Metaphors do the same job, but more directly, by actually identifying something as something else:
- The girl's eyes are very blue.
- The girl's eyes are sky blue.
By using a metaphor, the reader subconsciously thinks of a blue sky, which makes it clearer just how blue the girl's eyes are.
Another very commonly used literary device is onomatopoeia. You probably don't realize it, but you often use this device in your speech. This term refers to how a specific word reflects a specific sound. Consider the following:
In each sentence, the same word, roared, was repeated, but each time it suggested a different sound.
- The race car roared around the track.
- The jet roared overhead.
- The lion roared at the child who was teasing him.
- The tornado roared through the town.
These are just three of the literary devices that an author will use to try to recreate an experience for the reader.
Click here to see the examples of other literary devices once again.
Reading Journal
Journal Entry #15
Make up a simile of your own about the novel you just read. Complete the sentence below in your journal:
The novel (name of your novel) is like _________________________________.
Make up a simile of your own about the novel you just read. Complete the sentence below in your journal:
The novel (name of your novel) is like _________________________________.