Title: Literary Elements List: 22 Powerful Literary Devices to Engage Readers
Headings: Literary Elements List: 20 Powerful Literary Devices to Engage Readers
Literary Elements List: 20 Powerful Literary Devices to Engage Readers
Related: Writing Prompts By Genre
Here are the main literary elements to use:
What are literary elements?
What are examples of literary devices?
The more literary elements that writers have to use in their arsenal, the more powerful your writing will be.
Why use literary elements?
Here are the main reasons to use literary devices in your writing:
Why do authors use literary devices?
Some common reasons authors use literary devices are to:
Common literary devices
Reasons to use literary elements in your writing:
Readers don’t want a story to be told to them, they want to be shown the story – they want to know what the characters know, feel what the characters feel, and see what the characters see.
And this is where the use of literary elements come into play. By weaving literary element techniques into your writing, you’ll be able to create an unforgettable experience for your reader.
Tips to use literary devices
Here are some tips to use literary devices in your own writing:
List of Literary Elements to Engage Readers
#1 – Allusion
#2 – Alliteration
A common literary element used in everyday life, alliteration is when words with the same sound or letter appear in a sentence, often consecutively.
An example of alliteration are these classic book titles, such as:
#3 – Anaphora
#4 – Diction
There are four different types of diction:
Here are examples of the different types of diction:
#5 – Euphemism
#6 – Epistrophe
#7 – Flashbacks
Common reasons to use flashbacks in your story are to:
#8 – Foreshadowing
An example of foreshadowing is explained below:
#9 – Hyperbole
Some examples of hyperbole are:
#10 – Imagery
Just like the five senses, there are different types of imagery, such as:
These are examples of the five types of imagery:
#11 – Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is when a writer places two contrasting concepts, people, or events directly side-by-side in a sentence or paragraph.
#12 – Motif
#13 – Metaphor
#14 – Simile
Here are examples of simile vs metaphor in literature:
#15 – Personification
Some examples of personification are:
#16 – Onomatopoeia
Common examples of words or phrases that are onomatopoeia:
#17 – Oxymoron
An example of an oxymoron is found in these sentences:
#18 – Paradox
A paradox is different from an oxymoron because it is a sentence or a phrase that appears contradictory, but implies some kind truth.
#19 – Symbolism
#20 – Tone
Literary Devices: Quick Guide
Ready to improve your book with literary elements?
Angelica Hartgers

Content: More common in fiction stories, literary devices can help the author convey abstract concepts or information to the reader. They can help communicate the work’s overall meaning or theme, without the writer having to directly state the purpose. Paint a vivid picture with your words. Literary devices can help paint a visual picture or image in the reader’s imagination. Again, it all comes back to showing the reader what’s happening, rather than simply telling. Why do authors use literary devices? Authors use literary devices to enhance their creative expression, and to add artistic flair to their writing, which provides an unforgettable reader’s experience. Learn how to become an author by studying the greats – the more literature you read, the more you’ll see just how often famous writers rely on literary elements to strengthen their writing. Some common reasons authors use literary devices are to: Illustrate the storyline
Clarify certain points or concepts
Convey abstract information
Draw attention to important pieces of the story or topic
Engage and captivate readers
Encourage readers to interact with the story a little deeper
Enhance the reader’s experience
Common literary devices
The most common literary devices used in literature, art, and everyday language are similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism.