Lesson 22 — Activity 1: Using Literary Techniques
Completion requirements
Lesson 22 — Activity 1: Using Literary Techniques
One of the features of good stories and poems is the use of language to make you feel as if you are almost part of the story. Language that appeals to your senses — sight, sound, taste, touch, smell — is called descriptive language.
When the writer creates a picture for you through his or her words by using very descriptive language, those pictures are considered to be imagery.
When the writer creates a picture for you through his or her words by using very descriptive language, those pictures are considered to be imagery.
There are many expressions that can be used to make a description more
vivid or interesting.
These are called literary devices. One literary device that is very commonly used to create an image for readers or listeners is the simile.
These are called literary devices. One literary device that is very commonly used to create an image for readers or listeners is the simile.
A simile:
- is a direct comparison between two things that presents a vivid "picture" or experience to the reader
-
always contains the words "like" or "as"
Consider how similes present a clearer image in each of the following pairs of sentences:
The child ran fast to catch the bus.
The child ran as fast as a cheetah to catch the bus.
The child ran as fast as a cheetah to catch the bus.
The woman sat quietly listening for the sound again.
The woman sat as quietly as a mouse to see if she could hear the sound again.
The woman sat as quietly as a mouse to see if she could hear the sound again.
Tears flowed down his cheeks.
Tears flowed down his cheeks like a waterfall.
Tears flowed down his cheeks like a waterfall.
As well as similes, there are other literary devices that authors use to paint images in your mind.
Click here to see examples of other literary devices.
Click here to see examples of other literary devices.