Figures of Speech and Literary Devices
Writers use figures of speech and literary devices to make their writing
more interesting, more concise, more musical, and more emotional. Some
of the more commonly used forms of figures of speech and literary devices
are mentioned here.
Anecdote
Anecdotes are brief, often humorous, stories about a person’s
feelings and thoughts about a specific situation. Writers use anecdotes
to make their writing feel more personal and to interject some humour.
Metaphor
Metaphors are comparisons between two things. The words “like”
or “as” are not used. Writers
use metaphors to create a detailed image for the reader. Readers are able
to get vivid mental images without having to read a long description.
| Excerpt from MacBeth |
| William Shakespeare |
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and
tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
the way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!
Life‘s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
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