5.3 Literary Techniques in Novel Writing
3 min read•july 19, 2024
Novels are a playground for literary techniques. Writers use point of view, , , and to craft engaging stories. These tools shape how readers experience the narrative and connect with characters.
Figurative language and bring stories to life. Metaphors, similes, and paint vivid pictures in readers' minds. Well-crafted dialogue reveals character personalities and moves the plot forward, keeping readers hooked.
Literary Techniques in Novel Writing
Point of view techniques in novels
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- point of view narrated by a character using "I" or "we" provides an intimate and subjective perspective but limits the reader's knowledge to the narrator's experiences and thoughts which can create unreliable narrators (Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye") adding complexity to the story
- point of view narrated using "he," "she," or "they" focuses on one character's thoughts and experiences allowing for a more objective perspective than first-person while providing a balance between intimacy and distance ("Harry Potter" series)
- Third-person omniscient point of view narrated using "he," "she," or "they" allows the narrator to reveal the thoughts and experiences of multiple characters providing a broad, all-knowing perspective but can create a sense of detachment from individual characters ("Pride and Prejudice")
- point of view narrated using "you" directly addresses the reader, creating a sense of involvement but can be challenging to maintain throughout a novel ("Bright Lights, Big City")
Foreshadowing, irony, and suspense in narratives
- Foreshadowing uses subtle hints or clues about future events in the story to create anticipation and engage readers which can be achieved through dialogue, description, or (the mockingbird in "To Kill a Mockingbird")
- Irony adds depth, humor, and complexity to the story through:
- Situational irony: When the outcome of a situation is contrary to what is expected (Oedipus trying to avoid his fate but fulfilling it)
- Verbal irony: When a character says one thing but means the opposite (sarcasm)
- Dramatic irony: When the reader knows more than the characters (audience knowing Juliet is not dead in "Romeo and Juliet")
- Suspense keeps readers engaged and eager to find out what happens next by creating a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about the outcome of events through withholding information, introducing conflicts, or placing characters in perilous situations (the shark attacks in "Jaws")
Figurative language in novel writing
- Metaphors compare two unlike things without using "like" or "as" to create vivid , enhance the reader's understanding of abstract concepts, and reveal character insights or themes ("All the world's a stage" in "As You Like It")
- Similes compare two unlike things using "like" or "as" to create clear, relatable descriptions and add humor or emphasize certain qualities ("as brave as a lion")
- Personification brings inanimate objects or ideas to life by attributing human characteristics to non-human objects or concepts making them more relatable ("the wind whispered secrets")
- uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect to add humor, intensity, or highlight a character's emotions ("I've told you a million times")
Dialogue for character and plot
- Characterization through dialogue:
- Reveals personality traits, motivations, and backstories
- Shows how characters interact with and perceive one another
- Demonstrates character growth or change over time
- Advancing plot through dialogue:
- Provides exposition and reveals important information
- Creates or tension between characters
- Foreshadows future events or plot twists
- Moves the story forward by triggering character actions or decisions
- Realistic and engaging dialogue uses natural language and speech patterns, varies in tone, style, and length depending on the character and situation, avoids excessive exposition or information dumps, and includes subtext and body language descriptions to enhance meaning ("The Great Gatsby")
Key Terms to Review (19)
Antagonist: An antagonist is a character or force in a story that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and driving the narrative forward. This character is often seen as the 'villain' or obstacle that the main character must confront, which can take many forms, including people, society, or internal struggles. The antagonist plays a crucial role in shaping the journey and development of the protagonist.
Atmosphere: Atmosphere refers to the emotional feeling or mood that pervades a literary work, created by the setting, tone, and events within the narrative. It influences how readers interpret the story and connect with the characters, deeply affecting their engagement with the plot and themes. The atmosphere shapes the reader's experience, highlighting important elements like tension, comfort, or dread as they navigate through the unfolding events.
Backstory: Backstory refers to the background information and events that precede the main narrative of a story, providing context and depth to characters, settings, and conflicts. It enriches the reader's understanding of why characters behave in certain ways and helps to create a more immersive experience. By revealing critical past experiences, backstory plays a vital role in shaping the motivations and relationships of characters within the narrative.
Character voice: Character voice refers to the unique style of expression and manner of speaking that defines a character's personality, background, and emotional state in a narrative. This includes word choice, tone, and speech patterns that contribute to how a character interacts with others and perceives the world around them, enhancing the reader's connection to the character and the story.
Conflict: Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces that drives the narrative and shapes the characters' journeys. It is essential for creating tension and developing themes, revealing characters' motivations, and ultimately leading to resolution. Understanding conflict helps to illuminate the dynamics of plot, character development, and the underlying messages within a story.
Dialogue: Dialogue is the written conversational exchange between two or more characters in a literary work. It serves as a crucial tool for developing character relationships, advancing the plot, and revealing key themes within the narrative. Through dialogue, readers gain insights into character motivations and conflicts, making it an essential element in storytelling across various forms of literature.
Dialogue Tags: Dialogue tags are phrases used to attribute speech to a specific character in a story. They are essential for indicating who is speaking and can also convey tone or emotion, enhancing the reader's understanding of the dialogue. Well-placed dialogue tags help maintain the flow of conversation and provide context, contributing to character development and the overall narrative structure.
First-person: First-person is a narrative point of view where the story is told from the perspective of a character using 'I' or 'we,' allowing readers to experience the thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences of the narrator directly. This perspective creates intimacy and immediacy, engaging readers more deeply in the emotional journey of the narrator, which is essential for crafting compelling narratives and developing distinct voices in writing.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story. It builds anticipation in readers, creating suspense and depth by connecting earlier elements to later events or outcomes.
Hyperbole: Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim that is not meant to be taken literally, often used for emphasis or comedic effect. This figure of speech serves to create strong impressions and evoke emotions, making it a popular tool in various forms of writing, including poetry, novels, and creative pieces.
Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures for the reader. It enhances the reader's experience by allowing them to visualize scenes, hear sounds, and feel emotions within a narrative or poem. By evoking sensory details, imagery enriches the themes and emotions conveyed in a work.
Irony: Irony is a literary technique where the intended meaning is different from the literal meaning or where there is a contrast between expectations and reality. This technique often reveals deeper truths and highlights complexities within characters, situations, or events, allowing for a richer understanding of the narrative. It can manifest in various forms such as verbal, situational, and dramatic irony, each serving to enhance storytelling by creating tension or humor.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating that one is the other, helping to create deeper meaning and imagery. This technique enhances language by allowing writers to express complex ideas and emotions through familiar concepts, thus enriching the reader's experience.
Personification: Personification is a literary device where human qualities and attributes are attributed to non-human entities, animals, or abstract concepts. This technique enhances the expressiveness of language, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the elements being described, which plays a vital role in various forms of writing.
Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character in a story, often facing challenges and driving the narrative forward. This character usually undergoes significant development or change throughout the plot, which connects deeply to characterization, point of view, and themes.
Second-person: Second-person is a narrative perspective where the narrator addresses the reader directly using 'you'. This style creates a unique connection between the text and the reader, making them feel like an active participant in the story. In novel writing, this technique can enhance engagement and create immersive experiences as it places readers in the shoes of the characters, allowing for a more personal connection with the narrative.
Suspense: Suspense is a literary device that creates a feeling of excitement or anxiety about what will happen next in a story. It engages readers by building tension and uncertainty, often leading them to question the outcomes for characters or events. This feeling can be achieved through various techniques, including pacing, foreshadowing, and cliffhangers, which all work to keep readers invested in the narrative.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas or qualities, conveying deeper meanings beyond their literal sense. It plays a significant role in enhancing the richness of a narrative by connecting characters, settings, and themes with larger concepts and emotions.
Third-person limited: Third-person limited is a narrative perspective where the narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of one character, revealing their thoughts and feelings while remaining outside of the story itself. This point of view allows readers to connect deeply with a character's internal struggles, while still providing a broader view of the events taking place in the story, creating a unique balance between intimacy and objectivity.