Literary device in ICSE English Literature: An essential list of literary devices for students

Literary devices are tools that allow a writer to go beyond the literal interpretation of a text. They are, in that sense, methods for navigating the reader through the poem.

A sense of connection is fundamental to all literary devices: it encourages the reader to perceive and understand the world in new ways by building or analyzing relationships between objects.

We have listed types of Literary Devices available in Almond Books below:

1) Alliteration

This figure of speech carries close repetition of constant sounds in close proximity to each other, usually at the beginning of words.

Ex. A big bug bit the little beetle.

2) Antipophora /Anthypophora / Hypophora

It is a rhetorical device used in a poem, to raise a question and answer it right after.

Ex. Is our species crazy? Plenty of evidence.

3) Hyperbole

It is a figure of speech, which uses exaggeration for producing effect.

Ex. It's raining cats and dogs.

4) Imagery

It refers to words and phrases which help the reader form the images that focus on their senses such as smell, touch, sight, hearing and taste.

Ex. The Grass was green, and the flowers were red.

5) Irony

As a literary device, it is used in situations where there is a contrast between what is being said and what it means

Ex. Mr.Eagle is acrophobic. (having fear of height)

6) Metaphor

In this figure of speech, comparison between two different objects is implied but not clearly stated.

Ex. Life is a highway.

7) Metonymy

It is a figure of speech in which a thing or a concept is called not by its name but rather by a metonym, that is, by the name of something associated in meaning with that thing or concept

Ex. The pen is mightier than the sword.

8) Oxymoron

It is a special form of antithesis, whereby two contradictory qualities are predicted at once in the same thing. In other words, it is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Ex. The original copy was awfully good.

9) Personification

It is a figure of speech, in which inanimate objects or abstract ideas are described as if they are alive.

Ex. The sun smiled down on us.

10) Repetition

Repetition is a literary device that involves using the same word or phrase over and over again in a piece of writing or speech to provide clarity and emphasis, highlighting deeper meanings in the text..

Ex. "I felt happy because others were happy and because I knew I should feel happy..."

11) Refrain

When a phrase, verse, or a group of verses is repeated at intervals throughout the poem,the device is called a ‘Refrain’.

Ex. "...jump back, honey, jump back"

12) Rhyme Scheme

It is the repetition of syllables, typically at the end of a verse line.

Ex. Jack and Jill went up the hill; 

13) Simile

It is a figure of speech in which a likeness between two different things is stated by using the words ‘like’ and ‘as’.

Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates.

14) Tone

It is a reader’s interpretation of the poet’s attitude toward the speaker, reader, and subject matter of the poem.

Ex. Tone can be serious, threatening, jolly, etc.

Essential Literary devices are available in Almond books guides and self help books which help students to identify and appreciate the structural, grammatical, rhythmic, metrical, verbal, and visual elements which help students understand and imbibe better and enhance their understanding.

You can check Best Book for literary devices ICSE class 9 and 10