- Definition
A literary device is a special way a writer uses words, like rhyming or comparing things, to make their story more interesting or to create a certain feeling.
Using rhyme, like 'The cat sat on the mat,' is a literary device that makes the story sound musical.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A literary device is like adding sprinkles to a cupcake — it's a special word trick an author uses to make a story more fun or interesting.
Ask your child: How do these rhyming words make the story feel?
Common mix-up: Kids may think these are just random words. A literary device is a special word trick an author uses on purpose to make the story more exciting or funny.
Examples
- Repeating a phrase, like in 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?', makes the book easy to remember.
- Using a sound word like 'moo' or 'oink' is a device that helps you hear the story.
literary device is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
