1.4 Linguistic Devices

In this module, you will learn an array of devices that authors, playwrights and orators use to enhance their message. Devices are also called many other things that your teacher may have taught you, such as: techniques, vehicles, methods, tools or strategies. All these encompass the same meaning. Linguistic devices are used to communicate feelings, actions and intentions better, by elevating the language through comparison and exaggeration.

There are two main types of devices, those being language and structure:

• Language devices focusWhat the writer draws attention to at a given moment (e.g., setting, character, detail). on the uses of the word itself. This entails the meaning of the word becoming enhanced for a specific purpose.
• Structure devices focus on the placement of the words. This means the order of where words, sentences or punctuation are placed creates an effect.

Both have an enhancing effect on the language, therefore it is important to understand both umbrella terms. A key way to remember the difference is that:

• Language Devices = What is written (words, phrases etc.)
• Structure Devices = How it’s written (layout, order etc.)