Lesson 5: Literary Terms and Devices in Prose

🟦 Introduction
Have you ever read a story where a storm felt like a character, or where a quiet smile said more than a full speech? That’s the power of literary devices.

In WASSCE, you’re not just tested on what the passage says, but how the writer uses language to make the story or message powerful. Recognizing literary terms and devices will help you interpret meaning, mood, and tone—and score higher on comprehension questions.

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. What Are Literary Devices?

Literary devices are special techniques writers use to make their prose more vivid, emotional, or persuasive.

They help:

• Create imagery

• Emphasize ideas

• Show emotions

• Add rhythm or style

2. Common Literary Devices You Should Know

🧠 Tip: Look for how these devices affect the mood, meaning, or message of the story.

3. How to Identify Literary Devices in Context

• Read carefully and ask:
  👉 Is this a direct comparison?
  👉 Is the writer exaggerating?
  👉 Does an object represent something deeper?

• Consider how the sentence sounds and feels.

• Think about what the writer is trying to make you see or feel.

🧭 Step-by-Step Sample Walkthrough

Sample Passage:
The wind whispered secrets through the trees. Kojo stood frozen, his heart pounding like a talking drum. He was a lion, ready to fight—yet he trembled.

Questions:

1. Identify two literary devices in the passage.

2. What effect do they have on the mood or meaning?

✅ Answers:

1. Personification – “The wind whispered”; Simile/Metaphor – “heart pounding like a talking drum”, “He was a lion”.

2. These create tension and vivid imagery—showing fear and courage at once.

🟨 Practice Exercises

🔹 Exercise A: Identify the Device

Match the sentence to the correct literary device.

1. The car coughed and died in the middle of the road.

2. He’s a walking dictionary.

3. Her laughter lit up the room like sunshine.

4. Boom! The fireworks exploded in the sky.

5. The classroom was a zoo during break time.

Options: A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Metaphor

✅ Answers:

1. B – Personification

2. D – Metaphor

3. A – Simile

4. C – Onomatopoeia

5. D – Metaphor

🔹 Exercise B: Contextual Interpretation

Excerpt:
“He tried to stay calm, but his nerves buzzed like angry bees.”

Questions:

1. What device is used?

2. What feeling does it convey?

✅ Answers:

1. Simile

2. Tension or anxiety

🔹 Exercise C: WASSCE-style Question

Read the passage and answer the question:
“The village lay asleep under a blanket of stars, unaware of the danger creeping closer with every breath of the wind.”

Question: Identify one literary device used and explain its effect.

✅ Sample Answer:
Device: Personification – “danger creeping…wind”
Effect: Builds suspense by making danger feel alive and sneaky.

🔁 Recap

In this lesson, you’ve learned:

• Literary devices make writing more powerful and expressive.

• Similes, metaphors, personification, and others are common in WASSCE passages.

• Identifying and explaining these tools helps you understand the deeper meaning and mood of the passage.

🪞 Reflection Prompt
Think of a song, story, or ad you’ve heard recently. Did it use any literary devices? How did those devices affect your reaction or understanding? Try rewriting a line using simile or metaphor and reflect on the difference.