The Ultimate Literary Devices List for VCE English

To write high-scoring responses in VCE English, you need the right tools to express your ideas. This section breaks down the most important literary devices you should recognise and discuss in your exam responses.

Each technique includes definitions, examples, and sample analyses to help you write with purpose!

We’ll also show you step-by-step how to use these literary techniques to elevate your English analyses, give you effective vocabulary to use, and other advice for the English exam to help you stand out.

Table of contents:

• What are literary devices?
• List of literary devices and persuasive techniques
• How to use literary techniques in your VCE English analysis
• Useful vocabulary for VCE English analysis
• Metalanguage & exam tips: What VCAA Expects

What are literary devices?

Literary devices are techniques writers use to shape meaning, influence emotions, and persuade their audience. Each device plays a role in how a text persuades its audience. Writers use them deliberately—sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly—to shape ideas and influence emotions.

In your analysis, identifying these techniques is only step one. What matters more is how well you explain their effect.

You should be asking yourself:

• What’s the writer trying to make the reader feel, think, or do?
• How does the technique support the argument?

That’s the level of insight VCAA examiners are looking for. To learn more information on the VCE English exam, read How to Ace Your VCE English exam.

List of literary devices and persuasive techniques

1. Metaphor

Definition: A metaphor is a direct comparison where one thing is said to be another, creating an implicit link that enriches meaning.

Example:

• “The parliament was a zoo.”

Why writers use it:

• To create vivid imagery and conceptualise abstract or complex ideas in a relatable way.
• To evoke emotions or highlight a particular perspective.

How to analyse: 

• Identify the two things being compared.
• Discuss what qualities the metaphor highlights.
• Explain the effect on the audience—does it provoke fear, excitement, empathy?
• Link this effect to the author’s argument or purpose.

Sample analysis:

By describing the parliament as a ‘zoo,’ the writer metaphorically compares it to a chaotic, uncontrolled environment. This suggests a lack of discipline, positioning the audience to view the current governmental system as ineffective and in need of reform.

2. Simile

Definition: A simile is a comparison using “like” or “as” to highlight similarities between two different things.

Example:

• “Her voice was like velvet. ”

Why writers use it:

• To make descriptions more evocative and sensory.
• To help the audience imagine or feel something vividly.

How to analyse:

• Note the comparison and the qualities it highlights.
• Explore how the simile enriches the text’s imagery or mood.
• Discuss its persuasive function, especially how it appeals to the audience’s senses or emotions.

Sample analysis:

The simile “Her voice was like velvet” creates a sensory image of softness and comfort, encouraging the audience to feel warmth and trust towards the subject.

3. Alliteration

Definition: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words close together.

Example:

• “Silent snakes slither silently. ”

Why writers use it: 

• To create rhythm and musicality.
• To emphasise particular words or phrases, making them memorable.

How to analyse:

• Identify the repeated sound and words.
• Discuss how the repetition draws attention to key ideas or emotions.
• Consider how it contributes to tone or mood.

Sample analysis:

The use of alliteration in “silent snakes slither silently” creates a hissing sound that echoes the subject, reinforcing a sinister and threatening tone.

4. Hyperbole

Definition: Deliberate exaggeration to emphasize a point or evoke strong feelings.

Example:

• “This is the worst disaster in history. ”

Why writers use it: 

• To highlight urgency or severity.
• To provoke an emotional reaction.

How to analyse:

• Recognise the exaggeration and its target.
• Discuss how this intensifies the argument or appeals emotionally.
• Evaluate whether the hyperbole is effective or risks alienating the audience.

Sample analysis:

Claiming “this is the worst disaster in history” is a hyperbole designed to shock the audience, emphasising the magnitude of the crisis and compelling immediate action.

5. Tone

Definition: The writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and style.

Types of tone: Serious, sarcastic, optimistic, pessimistic, angry, nostalgic, etc.

Why writers use it:

• To shape the audience’s emotional response.
• To position themselves as credible or relatable

How to analyse: 

• Identify the tone by examining diction, sentence structure, and imagery.
• Explain how the tone influences the reader’s interpretation and engagement.
• Link tone to the argument’s effectiveness.

Sample analysis:

The sarcastic tone used when the author describes “brilliant leadership” actually criticizes the government, inviting the audience to question official narratives.

6. Appeal to Authority (Ethos)

Definition: Citing credible experts or institutions to support an argument.

Example:

• “According to the World Health Organization…”

Why writers use it: 

• To enhance credibility and trustworthiness.
• To convince the audience through expert backing.

How to analyse:

• Identify the authority figure or institution cited.
• Evaluate their relevance and reliability.
• Discuss how this strengthens the argument or persuades skeptics.

Sample analysis:

Referencing the World Health Organization appeals to the audience’s respect for expertise, reinforcing the argument’s legitimacy and encouraging compliance.

7. Inclusive language

Definition: Language that includes the audience, often through pronouns such as “we,” “our,” or “us.”

Example:

• “We all have a responsibility.”

Why writers use it:

• To build solidarity and shared identity.
• To engage the audience directly.

How to analyse:

• Identify the pronouns and inclusive phrases.
• Discuss how they create a sense of unity or collective action.
• Explain how this strengthens the call to action.

Sample analysis:

 Using “we” and “our” establishes a collective identity, encouraging readers to see themselves as part of the solution.

8. Rhetorical Questions

Definition: Questions posed to the audience that do not expect an answer but provoke thought.

Example:

• “How much longer will we tolerate injustice?”

Why writers use it:

• To engage the audience and stimulate reflection.
• To implicitly suggest an obvious answer.

How to analyse:

• Identify the rhetorical question.
• Discuss how it prompts the audience to consider the issue more deeply.
• Link its use to the text’s persuasive aims.

Sample analysis:

The rhetorical question “How much longer will we tolerate injustice?” challenges the audience directly, urging reflection on their role in effecting change.

9. Statistics and Data (Logos)

Definition: Numerical evidence used to support claims.

Example:

• “Over 70% of Australians support the new policy. ”

Why writers use it:

• To provide concrete, factual support.
• To appeal to logic and reason.

How to analyse:

• Assess the source and relevance of the data.
• Discuss how the statistics enhance credibility and persuade logically.

Sample analysis:

Citing that “over 70% of Australians support the new policy” bolsters the argument by appealing to the majority’s view, encouraging the audience to align with this consensus.

10. Anecdote

Definition: A short personal story or example used to illustrate a point.

Example:

• “When I visited the rural town, I saw firsthand the lack of healthcare facilities. ”

Why writers use it:

• To humanise abstract issues.
• To make arguments relatable and memorable.

How to analyse:

• Identify the anecdote and its purpose.
• Discuss how it appeals to emotion and builds empathy.
• Explain how it supports the broader argument.

Sample analysis: 

The anecdote about the rural town personalises the healthcare debate, making the issue tangible and emotionally impactful for the audience.

11. Emotive Language

Definition: Words chosen specifically to evoke an emotional response.

Example:

• “Devastating,” “heartbreaking,” “tragic.”

Why writers use it:

• To manipulate emotions and increase persuasion.
• To highlight the moral urgency of an issue.

How to analyse: 

• Identify emotive words.
• Discuss the emotions targeted (fear, compassion, anger).
• Explain how these emotions motivate audience response.

Sample analysis: 

The use of “devastating” emphasises the severity of the situation, evoking sympathy and a sense of urgency.

12. Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing two contrasting ideas or images close together for effect.

Example:

• “The wealthy live in comfort while the poor struggle for survival. ”

Why writers use it: 

• To highlight inequality or conflict.
• To create striking contrasts that provoke thought.

How to analyse:

• Identify the contrasting elements.
• Discuss how this sharpens the argument or exposes contradictions.

Sample analysis: 

The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty highlights social injustice, encouraging the audience to support reform.

13. Repetition

Definition: Repeating words or phrases to emphasise a point.

Example:

• “We must act now. Now is the time to change.”

Why writers use it:

• To make ideas more memorable.
• To reinforce urgency or importance.

How to analyse:

• Identify repeated words or phrases.
• Discuss how repetition drives home the message.

Sample analysis:

Repetition of “now” creates a sense of immediacy, urging the audience to act promptly.

How to use literary devices in your VCE English analysis

Now that you’ve got the toolkit, the next step is knowing how to use your analysis of literary devices in your responses. Let’s go through how to write a clear, high-scoring analysis in Section C of the exam.

Whether you’re working through a practice question or tackling the real thing, these four steps will help keep your analysis sharp, focused, and aligned with the VCAA’s expectations.

Step 1: Identify the technique

Start by identifying the technique by name. Don’t just say “the writer makes us feel something”—be specific. Is it a metaphor, rhetorical question, appeal to authority? This shows the marker that you have precise knowledge and are confident in your analysis.

•  Say this: “The author uses inclusive language…”
•  Not this: “The author says we should do it together…”

Step 2: Explain the technique’s purpose

Once you’ve named the technique, explain what it’s doing. Why has the writer used the technique in this spot? What are they trying to highlight, emphasise, or make you feel?

Tip: Think about the message or emotion behind the technique. Is it creating urgency? Building trust? Making something clearer?

Step 3: Explore how it affects the audience

This part’s key. The VCAA wants to see how you interpret the effect on the reader. In other words, how does the technique position us?

Ask yourself:

• Does it create sympathy, anger, trust, fear, guilt?

• Does it make the writer seem more credible or relatable?

• Does it encourage the audience to act or reflect?

Step 4: Link it back to the argument

Don’t forget to zoom out. Always tie the technique back to the writer’s bigger picture. How does it support their main contention? How does it move the audience toward their point of view?

This helps show that you understand the purpose behind the language, not just the technique in isolation.

Example of analysing a persuasive technique:

In the text, the author uses metaphor to describe the environment as a “ticking time bomb.” This metaphor conveys a sense of imminent danger and urgency, positioning the audience to feel alarmed about environmental degradation. By comparing environmental issues to an explosive device, the writer highlights the severity of the situation and the need for immediate action, reinforcing the central argument that urgent environmental reform is necessary.

Read a full annotated response here!

Free VCE English Section C Annotated Analysis Download

An annotated high-scoring essay.

Download now

Free VCE English Section C Annotated Analysis Download

Fill out your details below to get this resource emailed to you.

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Postcode*

Grade in 2025*

Grade in 2025123456789101112

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Resource (DO NOT DELETE OR CHANGE)

By submitting this form, you agree to receive promotional messages from Matrix about its products and services. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of our emails.

Useful vocabulary for VCE English analysis

Want to level up your writing? Use this list of high-impact verbs and phrases to help you express your analysis more precisely:

• Evokes

• Conveys

• Positions

• Emphasises

• Reinforces

• Suggests

• Challenges

• Highlights

• Appeals to ethos / pathos / logos

• Creates a tone of…

• Provokes

• Invokes

Use these words to replace vague expressions like “makes the reader think…” and show stronger control of your language analysis.

Metalanguage & exam tips: What VCAA Expects

Here are some quick reminders to help elevate your writing based on what markers expect:

• Use specific metalanguage: Always name techniques clearly (e.g., “The author uses emotive language…”).

• Don’t be vague: Avoid general phrases like “makes us feel”; instead, say how and why. E.g. “the author evokes sympathy through the use of emotive language.”

• Balance breadth and depth: Cover a range of techniques, but take the time to explain each one in detail and with evidence.

• Refer to the audience: Every technique should link to how it influences or positions the reader—this is a key VCAA expectation.