Creative

SHS Nonfiction
Grade 12
 2
Different Literary Elements
WEEK 2
Lesson
I
The five (5) Rs in Creative Nonfiction engage you that reality is considered as
the core of creative nonfiction. In attaining reality, you have to associate or use
one’s experience to deliver a content or a story. In creating a creative nonfiction
output, the word creativity shall be also embodied in the text. The use of literary
elements will be a great advantage for you to start writing your creative nonfiction
outputs. Knowing the literary elements serves as your weapon to create a well-
written text in nonfiction genre.
In this lesson, you are expected to create samples of different literary
elements based on one’s experience like the use of imageries, figures of speech in
sharing your emotions.

D
Literary elements are information that you have been encountering since
your elementary days. These are elements that help the author to express their
thoughts, ideas, feelings and emotions in the most aesthetic ways and sometimes
also used to conceal and to lighten up the choice of words.

Learning Task 1: Recall the literary elements that you remember. Using the
template below, provide five (5) literary elements together with their definitions
and examples. Do this in your notebook.

Literary Elements Definitions Examples

Learning Task 2: Think of possible sources of contents about your personal
experiences that you may use to create outputs using literary elements. Write five
(5) personal experiences in your notebook.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Learning Task 3: With your prior knowledge on literary elements and the possible
sources of contents about your personal experiences, write on the provided table
below the possible literary elements that can be used in telling your personal
experiences in the most creative way. Do this in your notebook.

Possible Literary
Personal Experiences Elements to be used

Knowing your prior knowledge about literary elements and the possible
sources of contents using your personal experiences will help you create your own
samples of literary elements based on your experiences.
You have known already that literary elements are the things that all
literatures—whether it is a news article, a book, or a poem—absolutely have to
have. Just like a house, the elements might be arranged slightly different. But at
the end of the day, they are usually all present and accounted for. Literary
elements are the fundamental building blocks of writing. They play an important
role in helping us write, read and understand literature .
Hartgers (2020) defined literary elements as writing techniques used to
create artistic special effects, that immerse the reader into a narrative, story, or
text. Literary elements are specific ways that storytellers use words in specific
patterns to tell their stories. They are considered as main tools in a writer’s
toolbox. Popular literary devices include allusion, diction, foreshadowing, imagery,
metaphors, similes and personification.
 For your craft not to be dull and exhausting, the utilization of scholarly
components can be contrasted with flavors which give tastes, enhances your
crafts. These are fixings that will give various commitments to make your dish a
total and tasty one.

It is essential to utilize literary devices in your narration to improve your

describing method. As you become a solid author and work to persistently improve
your composing advancement, the utilization of abstract components and different
procedures will make you a productive essayist and narrator

But if you take a look at most successful writers, both modern authors and
classic authors, you will find that remarkable writers use literary elements in their
work.

Here are the main reasons to use literary devices in your writing:
1. Include special effects in writing. Some portion of appearing, and not telling,
through your story includes the utilization of literary devices and different
strategies in your narration.
2. Establish connection with your audience. You can bring the reader into your
story, and urge them to connect with the content. Literary devices can
stimulate the reader’s mind, and giving them a deeper reading experience.
3. Interests hooks the reader. Without literary devices, there is a huge
possibility that the story will be dull and boring. By incorporating literary
techniques in your writing, you add vivid color and interests to your words, and
avoid being a dull.
4. Use abstract information. More common in fiction stories, literary devices can
help the author convey abstract concepts or information to the reader. They
can help communicate the work’s overall meaning or theme, without the writer
having to directly state the purpose.
5. Establish clear and vivid pictures with your words. Literary devices like
imagery can help to create visual pictures or imageries in the reader’s
imagination.

Writers utilize literary devices to improve their inventive articulation and

add creative energy to their composition, which gives an exceptional reader's
understanding.
Learn how to turn into an author by contemplating the greats – the more
writing you read, the more you will see exactly how often famous scholars depend
on artistic components to fortify their composition.

Some common reasons why authors use literary devices are to:
1. Illustrate the storyline;
2. Clarify certain points or concepts;
3. Convey abstract information;
4. Draw attention to important pieces of the story or topic;
5. Engage and captivate readers;
6. Encourage readers to interact with the story a little deeper; and
7. Enhance the reader’s experience.

Hartgers (2020) also provided some examples of literary elements that you
may use to make your literary outputs flavorful and vibrant.
Common literary devices

The most common literary devices used in literature, art and everyday
language are similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism.
Numerous individuals do not have the foggiest idea about genuine names of
abstract gadgets, so they do not understand these components when they
experience them in regular circumstances.
While these abstract components are most regularly utilized, there are
various different gadgets that are alive and utilized by essayists.

Reasons to Use Literary Elements in Writing

The number one rule to writing is to “show, don’t tell”.

You have to illustrate the story to your readers. Using literary elements will
clearly help the readers to establish the scenarios of the stories. Utilizing these
elements will help you to have vivid illustrations. Readers do not want a story to be
told but rather to see the storyline by showing it to them. Readers want to know
what the characters perceptions, emotions, and what the characters see in the story and how
would they react on these.

This is where the use of literary elements come into play. By utilizing literary
element techniques in your literary outputs, you will form an interesting and unforgettable
experience to your readers.

Literary Elements Definition Example

Allusion A literary device that refers “Don't act like a Romeo in

to external people, events, front of her.” – “Romeo” is
or things. These are people a reference to
who are not part of the story Shakespeare's Romeo, a
itself. passionate lover of Juliet,
in “Romeo and Juliet”.

Alliteration Alliteration is a device I saw thousands of bats,

where an initial consonant screeching and screaming
sounds is being repeated in which seemed like they
the words of a phrase or a saw hunters and tried to
sentence. fly in different directions.

Anaphora Anaphora is a repetition of It was the best of times, it

the same word or phrase at was the worst of times
the beginning of successive during the times of chal-
sentences. lenges like this pandemic
time.

Even if you are learning how to become a non-fiction author, you will want to
use literary devices because they are an effective way to captivate readers on any
topic.
 Literary Elements Definition Example

Diction The specific choice of words Anes ganap? It’s the bong-
used helps determine the gacious fiesta ditetshiwa
style in which the person is in the Philippines. Filipino
speaking or writing. It can be People are united and the
a formal, informal, colloqui- whole nation is into it.
al, slang or poetic. There are so many anech-
anech like the colorful
decorations and there are
variety of foods. Anes pa?
Let’s find more-more ga-
nap.

Euphemism a mild or indirect word or No one wants to be with

expression substituted for him because his attitude
one considered to be too is unattractive and sub-
harsh or blunt when refer- standard to women’s
ring to something unpleas- choice.
ant or embarrassing.

Epistrophe The repetition of a word or I want the best, and we

phrase at the end of a need the best, and we
deserve the best.
sentence.

Flashbacks It is an interjected scene that In a story about a girl who

takes the narrative back in is afraid of heights, there
time from the current point is a flashback to a time
in the story. when she fell off of the top
of a playground as a
young child.

Foreshadowing A clue at what will happen It was a cold stormy night

next, or at some point, in the that would introduce her
story. to eternal darkness,
forever changing the
course of her life.

Hyperbole Extreme exaggeration of a I’m so hungry, I can eat a

real event or situation. whole cow.

Imagery A literary device that appeals As I unveiled the beige

to the reader’s physical curtain of my cottage’s
senses. window, I witnessed a
picturesque view of
Caramoan. It was
intensively heaven.
 Literary Elements Definition Example

Juxtaposition When a writer places two In the classic movie The

contrasting concepts, peo- Godfather, when baptism
ple, or events directly side- scenes were juxtaposed
by-side in a sentence or with murder scenes.
paragraph.

Motif when a recurrent element The presence of older fe-

(such as an image, sound, male villains in Disney
or concept) is found adaptations.
throughout a story, to help
develop the theme, or cen-
tral message.

Metaphor An implicit comparison be- Your brother is an angel

tween two or more things. for me.

Simile An explicit comparison be- My love for you is like this

tween two or more things river flow. It won’t stop.
using the words "like" or
"as."

Personification When a writer gives inani- Leaves dance with the

mate objects or inhuman wind.
beings (like animals) human
characteristics or attributes.

Onomatopoeia A word or phrase that con- Kring… Kring…Kring…

veys the sound of some- The telephone rings.
thing.

Oxymoron A combination of con- The experiences that we

trasting, or opposite, words. had were really bitter
sweet memories to us.

Paradox A sentence or a phrase that Keep your friends close,

appears contradictory, but and your enemies closer.
implies some kind truth.
 Literary Elements Definition Example

Assonance Repetition of vowel sounds When we had our

in every word in a line or a vacation, the teachers
sentence. reached the beach
concert of The Meech
Band.

Consonance Repetition of consonant The female, more than my

sounds within the words in thumb, are shimmering in
their maroon dresses.
a line or a sentence.

E
Learning Task 4: Read and analyze the statements below. Identify the literary
element used in each item. Write your answers in your notebook.
1. The dark, dark liver – love it, love it and the beat and beating heart, love that
too. More than eyes or feet. More than lungs that have yet to draw free air.
More than your life-holding womb and your life-giving private parts, hear me
now, love your heart (from The Beloved by Toni Morrison).
2. Along the roads, laurels, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wildflowers
delighted the traveler's eye through much of the year (from Silent Spring by
Rachel Carson).
3. The salty taste of soy sauce complements the slightly sweet and meaty taste of
Dim sums fillings. The size of Dim sum is just right to make you crave for more
which will be good if it’ll be used in a business. (from Dim Sum, A Taste That
Gets Into Your Heart by Cristina Kyla Villagen).
4. 'Cause baby, you're a firework
C'mon, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Aah, aah, aah"
As you shoot across the sky (from Firework by Katy Perry)
5. A forest fire was making its way along the tinderbox ridges above them, flaring
and shimmering against the overcast like the northern lights. Cold as it was he
stood there a long time. The color of it moved something in him long forgotten.
(from The Road by Cormac McCarthy)
Learning Task 5: Read the text below with understanding and appreciation. After
reading the text, proceed to the next learning task.

The Urban Cyclist

David Hood
It’s a sweltering summer day in the city. You’ve decided to embrace cycling,
make it part of your exercise regimen. So you’re attired in a blue helmet, dark
sunglasses, yellow jersey, black shorts, light-weight cycling shoes, ready to ride for
the first time.
Sitting on the hard seat, gripping the handle bars, pressing the peddles,
balancing the mountain bike, as if a man on a high-wire, you begin three hours of
cycling.
One hour into the ride, your body’s heated up like a furnace. You begin
perspiring like you’re sitting in a sauna. You take a few sips of bottled water,
peddle onward.
For a couple of miles, you cycle quickly on a flat stretch of street, close to
the curb, past rows of parked cars, past condos sprouting like dandelions, past
house of all shapes and sizes, past the occasional park with a playground, past a
few bus stops, a gas station.
Like someone navigating a minefield, you peer in all directions, looking for
potential hazards— discarded pop cans, sewer grates, jay walking pedestrians, pot
holes, a motorist drifting too close, as if distracted, perhaps texting on a
smartphone.
You cycle past a row of parked cars. Someone who’s not paying attention,
opens their car door, blocking your path. You quickly look back, detect empty
space, steer the handle bars left, veering your bike away from danger.
As you cycle, you observe an endless number of trucks, buses, cars,
occasional motorcycle whizzing past, like they’re in a rush to some place
important. Sometimes you pass another cyclist peddling slowly, like someone on a
leisurely stroll.
A mile up the street, you zigzag between two rows of cars stopped at a red
light. When the light turns green, the cars accelerate as if beginning a race. You
smell the stench of exhaust, cough a few times, then balance the bike, sit on the
seat, begin to peddle for another mile, when you’re greeted by a steep hill.
Rather than dismount, walk your bike to the top, like you’ve given up, you
gear down into low, peddle slowly, climbing the hill without stopping. Yet, you still
feel as if you’re carrying a backpack of fifty pounds.
At the top of the hill, you stop to catch your breath, look back, tell yourself
“I’ve climbed to the tip of a mountain.” Then you re-balance your bike, sit on the
seat, press on the peddles, descend the steep hill, feeling a cool breeze blowing in
your face, as if sitting on a swift-flying sailboat, catching the wind.
Returning to a flat stretch of street, where the traffic’s sparse, you cycle at a
leisurely pace, gaze at the strangers on the sidewalk, past a handicapped man in a
wheel chair, past a elderly woman walking her poodle, past a crowd waiting like
their bored at a bus stop, past the shopkeeper selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
You’re feeling relaxed, beginning to enjoy the exercise, when a motorist cuts
in front of your bike, without signalling, breaks to make a right turn on a green light
—you quickly squeeze the hand breaks.
You’re upper body’s propelled forward, out of the seat, over the top of the
handle bars, like someone shot out of a cannon. Yet, somehow you maintain your
grip, prevent yourself from falling onto the pavement. Another motorist behind,
honks his horn, then passes, yelling “Get off the busy street!”
 You cycle for several more miles, your body perspiring, your energy
depleting, like a gas tank on empty. You drink the remaining bottle of water, cycle
back to your neighborhood, where it’s a friendly, quiet, peaceful place, where
there’s no moving automobiles, no trucks, no buses, no noise.
In front of your apartment, you dismount from the mountain bike, your legs
feeling stiff, your mouth parched, your face, jersey, shorts soaked with
perspiration. You’re feeling somewhat stressed, yet euphoric, high on endorphins,
like you’ve just run a marathon.

Learning Task 6: Directions: Using the template below, identify the literary
elements used in the text. Do this in your notebook.

Paragraph Number Summary Literary Elements

Used

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Paragraph 3

Paragraph 4

Paragraph 5

Paragraph 6

Paragraph 7

Paragraph 8

Paragraph 9

Paragraph 10

Paragraph 11

Paragraph 12

Paragraph 13

Paragraph 14

Paragraph 15
A
Learning Task 7: For many people, the summer of 2020 has been like no other in
recent memory. Public health restrictions caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic have led to cancelled festivals, concerts and other events.
Many vacations and large celebrations were limited or put on hold. Choose five (5)
literary elements. For each element, create three (3) statements using the selected
literary elements about the things that you have experienced or done for the past
five (5) months. Do this in your notebook.