• Imagery
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Irony

What do these things mean? Why even bother knowing these things?

Well, half of you already include these devices in your writing and you don't even know it!

Are you familiar with the saying knowledge is power? Well, it's not a well-known phrase for nothing.

If you are able to point out what literary devices are already in your writing, and are able to consciously add them into your writing, you will become a better writer.

This part will review the literary devices I see the most in great fiction on Wattpad, as well as a few good terms you just should know as a writer.

An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Keiran thought about how a doctor diagnosed diseases was like how a detective investigated crimes.

Keiran is comparing the profession of a doctor to a detective. Both need to solve mysteries, one about diseases and one about crimes. Adding this device into your writing gives another perspective for your reader to connect to your story.

Diction is the distinctive tone of an author's writings. Diction is not just a writer's choice of words; it can include the mood, attitude, dialect and style of writing. Diction is usually judged with reference to the standards of proper writing and speech and is seen as the mark of quality of the writing.

He wondered how his wife, Samantha, would handle the news. Should he even tell her? Should she even know? Should he wait until the time is closer? He just didn't want her to worry and 'baby' him for the rest of his days.

Epilogues are an optional part of a story. The epilogue is an important literary tool that acts as the afterword once the last chapter is over. The purpose of an epilogue is to add a little insight to some interesting developments that happen once the major plot is over.

Epilogues often act as a teaser trailer to any possible sequels that might be created later. Sometimes the epilogue is used to add a little bit about the life or future of the main characters after the story itself has unfolded and wrapped up.

Epilogues can be written in a number of ways: sometimes the same narrative style as adopted in the story is continued, while at other times one of the characters might take up the narrative or speak one to one with the audience.

Keiran knew in the end that he had lived a fulfilling life filled with joy and laughter and love. He knew he was leaving his wife in a good place. She still had her hobbies to keep her busy. He knew she'd be happy and be able to handle living alone. Keiran left this world with a hint of a smile on his lips; his son, James was waiting for him.

There will be many times when you need to show the reader something that happened in the past. Sure, you could summarize the brief memory and move on. But if the past event is something very important and emotionally connected to your story, then you might want to write it as a flashback.

A flashback is a dramatic way to tell the reader about past events but interrupts the narrative flow of your main story. Delivered at an inopportune time, a flashback can derail the current action and dissipate any momentum you've gathered. Delivered at the right dramatic moment, a flashback enhances and deepens your story.

The tricky thing about writing a flashback is transitioning into the past and then transitioning back to the present. You want to do so in a way that feels clear and effortless. You may do this by mentioning the difference in time and space. For example:

He had cancer. The last time Kieran felt this shocked was four years ago when two army officers had knocked on his front door. The knock came early in the morning; Keiran had barely begun to drink his first cup of joe. The two officers looked at him solemnly when he opened the door. He still had morning crusties in his eyes when they told him his son was lost in action.

Writing "four years ago" sets the reader up for the flashback.

Foreshadowing refers to the use of an indicative word or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold, and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Foreshadowing is used to suggest an upcoming outcome to the story.

No matter how many times his wife protested, Kieran never wore sunscreen while he worked with his buds. He had no idea being a stubborn man would result in his early demise.

In this sentence, while Keiran is clueless of further developments, the reader learns that something disastrous and problematic is about to happen to him.

In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery, wherein the author uses words and phrases to create 'mental images' for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author's writings. The usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes amongst other literary forms in order to 'tickle' and awaken the readers' sensory perceptions is referred to as imagery. Imagery is not limited to only visual sensations but also refers to touch, smell, taste, heat and sound sensations as well.

The gushing brook near Kieran stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds.

The use of irony in literature refers to playing around with words so that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. Irony is often used to suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put to attention. The deeper, real layer of significance is revealed not by the words themselves, but the situation and the context in which they are placed.

"Oh, what fine luck I have!" Kieran said to the doctor.

The sentence on the surface conveys that Keiran is happy with his luck, but actually what he means is that he is extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with his (bad) luck.

Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits.

The first subject, which is the focus of the sentences, is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey a degree of meaning that is used to characterize the first. The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject).

"James was a lion on the battlefield," Kieran remembered James' commanding officer stating at his son's funeral. He wondered what would be said at his funeral.

This sentence suggests that James fought so valiantly and bravely that he embodied all the personality traits we attribute to the ferocious animal. This sentence implies immediately that James was courageous and fearless, much like the King of the Jungle.

A narrative, or story, is told by a narrator who may be a direct part of an experience. Each scene is narrated by a character who tells the reader what's going on, narrating through the lens of his own personality and perspective. It depends on what point-of-view (first, second, third, or omniscient) you use but often shares the experience as a first-person narrator. Sometimes the narrator may only observe the events as a third-person narrator and give his verdict.

A pair of narrators, male and female, narrating alternating scenes, is a common technique used in many romance novels. Many thrillers have multiple third-person narrators. Writing from multiple viewpoints enables the writer to generate tension by showing the reader several events going on simultaneously.

It is usually not a good idea to have a minor character narrate. Each time a character narrates a scene, the reader not only learns what's happening but sees it from a specific character's viewpoint. So most writers bestow the power of narration only on main characters.

Keiran knew he'd have to tell his wife sooner or later. If he didn't, and it was too late, he'd leave this world incomplete. He wouldn't be surprised if his wife brought him back from the dead, just to kill him over again.

From this example, you can see that the narrator is Kieran and he's in third-person point-of-view.

An oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing.

Sometimes we cherish things of little value, Kieran thought.

Personification is one of the most commonly used and recognized literary devices. It refers to the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena, and animals.

Kieran sat by the warm and comforting fire as he contemplated the meanings of life.

A fire can be warm, yes, but a fire cannot physically comfort someone. That is why the above example is personifying the fire.

A prologue can be a useful tool in building your novel; however, it can also be harmful to the story if used inappropriately. A prologue can be an introduction to a story that usually sets the tone for the story and acts as a bit of a backgrounder or a "sneak peek" into the story.

It had begun the second Kieran ignored that strange-looking mole forming on his arm. His wife, Samantha, had pushed for him to go to a doctor, but he felt fine, and he never went to a doctor unless he felt like he was dying, and he wasn't. It was just a mole that looked a bit darker than the rest of his moles. With his old age came an abundance of liver moles; this was just another one of those. Kieran worked in construction his whole life, making an honest living for himself and his family. He was always out in the sun, so his body was covered in freckles too. Having this mole was nothing new. He wasn't going to interrupt his life for it, so it became long-forgotten.

This example also includes foreshadowing. Try to point it out.

Similes are one of the most commonly used literary devices; referring to the practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places, and concepts. By using similes, a greater degree of meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise simple sentence. The reader is able to better understand the sentiment the author wishes to convey. Similes are marked by the use of the words 'as' or 'such as' or 'like.'

Kieran sat like an unmovable boulder in front of the doctor.

This simile conveys how shocked Keiran is by his news of cancer, so much so, he can't move.

This next device should get you excited because almost every fiction piece has stream of consciousness.

The phrase stream of consciousness refers to an uninterrupted and unhindered collection and occurrence of thoughts and ideas in the conscious mind. In literature, the phrase refers to the flow of these thoughts, with reference to a particular character's thinking process. This literary device is usually used in order to provide a narrative in the form of the character's thoughts instead of using dialogue or description.

What had Kieran done to deserve this? Why had God forsaken him? First, his son was taken from him and Samantha; now he was going to go too? Sure, he'll admit he was old, but not old enough to die just yet. He had so many more things to do, so many more places to be, so many more people to meet. His life wasn't over until he said so. Maybe the stupid doctor got it wrong. Maybe he wasn't dying of, what was it called? Melanoma? Maybe it was just a strange deformity that could easily be removed. He needed to get a second diagnosis. One from a doctor that actually knew what he was talking about. This doctor was just a simple family physician. He needed to go to a damn... cancer center. They'll actually know what they're talking about and not pulling shit out of their asses. He had made the decision. He would go to the cancer center in Chicago. It wasn't too far of a drive. He could make it in a day with Samantha not suspecting a thing. He needed to remember to take off from work.

You might see the above example as the ramblings of the main character's mind, and it is. But it is also his stream of consciousness. I like this literary device because you can speak about writing to those who don't write and sound like a big-shot, when really, it comes as easily as thinking 'what would my character think in this scene?'

A symbol is a literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Basically, a symbol is using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.

Keiran had cancer. That was it. The end was coming, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. This was a new dawn for him. He could put his priorities first for a change and really do the things he'd always dreamed of.

The phrase "a new dawn" does not talk only about the actual beginning of a new day but also signifies a new start, a fresh chance to begin and the end of a previous tiring time.

Syntax in literature refers to the actual way in which words and sentences are placed together in the writing. Usually, in the English language, the syntax should follow a pattern of subject-verb-object agreement, but sometimes authors play around with this to achieve a lyrical, rhythmic, rhetoric, or questioning effect. It is not related to the act of choosing specific words, or even the meaning of each word, or the overall meanings conveyed by the sentences.

Keiran drove the car to the Grand Canyon. He went alone. He was glad Samantha knew this was something he had to do by himself. He couldn't wait to see the sun rise over the horizon.

The sentence "Keiran drove the car to the Grand Canyon" would follow normal syntax in the English language. By changing the syntax to "The car drove Kieran to the Grand Canyon," the sentence becomes awkward.

Syntax is also one of those terms you can throw around to sound like you really know your stuff. Hopefully, after this, you actually will!

Okay, so we've gone through sixteen literary devices, and that's not even half of them. Wow, right?

If you don't think you've subconsciously added these devices (or others) into your writing, how can you?

Go through the syntax of your writing sentence-by-sentence, line-by-line. Really focus on the diction you use. Does it draw the effect you're attaining to?

Part of the revising and editing stages is adding more literary elements to your writing. Doing this, improves your narrative tone, while also foreshadowing your future success.

See what I did there? If so, give this part a vote!