Explore
Public Library
Pricing

Home
Worksheets
English and language arts
Literature
Literary devices

English & Language Arts > Literature

Literary Devices

Identify and analyze techniques authors use to create meaning and effect, such as metaphors, similes, and imagery.

Custom Worksheet Builder

Build a custom worksheet by selecting a subject and format.

Enter Custom Subject

Subject

Category

Topic

Grade Level

Select the appropriate grade level

Difficulty Level

Choose the difficulty level

Language

Select the language for the worksheet content

Keywords

886 characters remaining

Attach Document or Image (optional)

Upload or drag & drop

PDF, PNG, JPG, WEBP (Max 10MB)

Unlock File Attachments

This requires a STARTER or PRO plan.

Worksheet Format

Multiple Choice QuizGenerate a quiz with multiple-choice questions

Fill in the BlanksGenerate a worksheet with sentences containing blanks to fill in

FlashcardsGenerate flashcards with terms and definitions

CrosswordsGenerate crossword puzzles based on a subject

Jeopardy BuilderCreate Jeopardy-style review games

Language HelperTranslate words, phrases, or sentences between languages.

Word MatchGenerate word matching exercises with connecting lines.

Word CloudGenerate word clouds from text or topics.

HangmanGenerate words for a game of Hangman.

Word ScrambleGenerate word scramble puzzles with a final riddle.

Word SearchCreate fun and engaging word search puzzles.

Spin The WheelCreate interactive spinning wheels for activities.

Word SortGenerate activities for sorting words into categories.

Study Notes

What are Literary Devices?
Impact of Literary Devices in Literature
Major Types of Literary Devices
Examples of Literary Devices
Worksheet Practice Prompts

What are Literary Devices?

Literary devices are the clever tricks authors use to make their writing pop with meaning and feeling. Think metaphors, irony, or vivid imagery—these techniques turn ordinary sentences into moments that linger. Whether you’re savoring a poem or skimming a blog post, devices like hyperbole or symbolism add layers that spark your curiosity and emotions.

Impact of Literary Devices in Literature

In literature, literary devices are the magic behind memorable texts. They’re how writers hook you, make you laugh, or leave you thinking long after the page is turned. Catching a subtle piece of foreshadowing or a bold oxymoron lets you peek into the author’s craft. Plus, playing with these tools in your own writing can transform your ideas into something sharp and unforgettable.

Major Types of Literary Devices

Literary devices come in a range of styles, each with its own way of shaping a story or idea. Here’s the rundown:

Metaphor: A bold comparison, like calling hope a beacon in the dark.
Simile: A comparison with “like” or “as,” such as a voice smooth as velvet.
Imagery: Sensory details that paint a scene, like the tangy scent of rain-soaked earth.
Alliteration: Repeated sounds for rhythm, like a breeze blowing briskly.
Personification: Giving life to objects, like clouds weeping softly.
Irony: A surprising twist, like a chef who can’t cook.
Hyperbole: Over-the-top exaggeration, like waiting an eternity for lunch.
Foreshadowing: Clues hinting at what’s next, like a creaking door before danger.
Symbolism: Objects carrying deeper meaning, like a rose for love.
Oxymoron: Contradictory pairings, like a silent scream.

Examples of Literary Devices

These moments capture how literary devices show up in texts around you:

Bold Metaphor: Reading a review calling a film “a rollercoaster of thrills.”
Vivid Picture: Lingering over a story’s description of “frost-kissed leaves crunching underfoot.”
Playful Sound: Noticing an ad’s “crisp, clean, clear” tagline for rhythm.
Ironic Twist: Laughing at a book where a “genius” inventor fails spectacularly.
Symbolic Touch: Spotting a necklace in a novel that hints at family ties.

Worksheet Practice Prompts

Ready to explore literary devices? These prompts are crafted for our worksheet tools, mixing things up to keep learning fun and varied:

Generate a word search puzzle with terms like metaphor, imagery, and oxymoron, hidden in a grid themed around literary creativity.

Create a Spin The Wheel activity with short phrases using devices like 'whispering winds' or 'love is a battlefield,' where players name the device.

Make a word match exercise pairing literary devices like simile and irony with their examples, such as 'as brave as a lion' or 'a fire station burns down.'

Generate a fill-in-the-blank worksheet with sentences needing literary devices, e.g., 'The storm ___ like a furious beast,' to practice imagery.

Create a word sort activity categorizing phrases into devices like hyperbole (e.g., 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse') or personification (e.g., 'the stars winked').

Related Topics

Literary Genres

Explore diverse literary forms like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Understand the unique characteristics of each genre.

Character Analysis

Examine character development, motivations, and roles within literary works. Learn to interpret character actions and relationships.

Literary Themes

Understand how central ideas and messages are developed and conveyed in literature. Explore recurring themes across different texts.

Literary Periods

Study major literary movements and historical contexts that shaped literature. Connect texts to their cultural and historical backgrounds.

World Literature

Discover influential literary works from various cultures and traditions around the globe. Broaden perspectives on global storytelling.

Worksheet Tools

AI Tools & Generators

Crosswords
Fill in the Blanks
Flashcards
Hangman
Jeopardy Builder
Language Helper
Map Guessing Game
Math Sheets
Quiz Builder
Spin The Wheel
Word Cloud
Word Match
Word Scramble
Word Search
Word Sort

Browse Worksheets by Subject

English & Language Arts

English (General)
Literature
Grammar
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary Building
Writing Skills

Mathematics

Arithmetic
Fractions & Decimals
Pre-Algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus
Statistics & Probability

Science

Science (General)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Astronomy

Social Studies

Social Studies (General)
US History
World History
Geography
Civics & Government
Economics

Arts & Other

Visual Arts
Music
Performing Arts (Drama/Theater)
Film & Media Studies
Pop Culture
Physical Education
Health & Wellness
Computer Science & Technology
Psychology
Philosophy

© 2025 Sheetworks. All rights reserved.