How To Use Literary Devices To Sustain Your Readers’ Attention

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Captivating your readers’ attention is good, but how do you sustain it? What keeps them transfixed till the end? Employing literary devices is one proven way to keep your readers wondering what goes beyond the current page.

Literary devices are techniques used in creating special effects and enhancing narratives. They cut across various genres in literature and are usually confused with the figures of speech. Figures of speech are a type of literary device. 

Think for a second of how bland your narration would be without the use of dramatic irony, suspense, tragic flaws, figures of speech, flashback, etc. Literary devices give deeper meanings to sentences. They also create room for reflection and keep your readers connected to your writing.

There are many literary devices, each with its unique purpose. Let’s examine a few and how they function in a narrative.

  1. Figures of speech: Figures of speech are the most common technique. They typically do not go by their literal meanings.

‘I wanted to go out, but the sun smiled at me. I could see Mother Nature telling me to stay back’. Though the sun is lifeless, it smiled. It paints pictures in your readers’ minds. 

‘I could not go out because of the sun’.Both statements portray similar meanings, but the first used personification, a figure of speech, to create a strong mental image.

  • Dramatic irony: Creating a scene that puts your reader a step ahead of the characters is dramatic irony. It excites them to know that they have information that the characters are unaware of. In Romeo and Juliet, the reader was aware that they were both alive while the characters were clueless.
  • Flashback: When a writer takes the readers to the past, that is a flashback. It is a technique that makes your reader understand better the action or motive of a character. It gives an in-depth insight into a narrative.
  • Suspense: It is a heightened tension developed by deliberately withholding information from the readers. In contrast to dramatic irony, your reader does not have the information required to unravel mysteries in the plot. They are then eager to know what comes next.
  • Humour: Injecting an element of humour in your writing creates relief and loosens tension. It keeps your readers interested in your work.

Literary devices are an excellent way of sustaining your reader’s attention; however, they could make or mar your writing. Using them appropriately is consequential to your writing success. So always consider your style, audience, and tone before selecting and using a literary device. 

Understanding the Writing Process

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As professional writers, we know that writing doesn’t just happen. It isn’t the capricious off-loading of the mind into paper. It isn’t the haphazard stringing together of words and sentences to make some preconceived point. 

In reality, writing is a process. It involves well-thought-out, articulated, and synchronised actions and decisions which result in publicly consumable content. Irrespective of how creativity reliant an art or craft is, it must under-go process.

At Sabi Writers, our writing goes through a thorough step-by-step process to guarantee maximum quality, originality, and efficiency. In this post, we’ll be sharing our writing process, the math behind the magic we do. 

The Pre-writing Stage

Every piece of literature known to man was born out of an idea. Nevertheless, the idea is only the beginning; it must first be nurtured, expanded, and developed to the point of maturity where it is translated to a written form.

This development happens in the pre-writing stage. Here, the writer sources for materials, additional information, and other specific elements that serve as building blocks with which he fleshes out the idea. 

After filling out the idea, the writer begins to structure all the information he has gathered. This involves cutting out unnecessary information, deciding which points remain, and piecing together the final picture of the content he wishes to create. 

The Drafting Stage

At this stage, the writer translates his ideas, points and notes into transitional paragraphs that help make his point clear. Here, the writer allows his creativity to run free, expressing himself through words, tone, and style. 

While drafting, the writer is not concerned with grammatical errors, spellings or other errors. Instead, he focuses on letting his creativity run free as any form of editing is premature and will obstruct his flow.  

The errors in a writer’s drafts are not proof of some failing or incompetence; it is relatively normal to have mistakes in your first, second, and third drafts. As you know, writing is a process and drafting is only a part of it. At the end of the process (that is if they are carried out correctly), the work will be in top form. 

The Revision Stage

At this stage, the writer is less concerned about expressing his creativity and more occupied with tailoring the content to match his readership and the prescribed style of writing. 

The writer will ask these questions:

Is my writing clear?

Is it concise?

Are the points expanded enough?

Do my paragraphs transition into one another?

How will the readers interpret this work? 

Is my writing informative or shallow?

Is it professionally delivered?

Is the information provided, credible?  

The Editing Stage

People often feel the revision stage and the editing stage are somewhat similar and therefore, interchangeable. This is not true. While revising is concerned with correcting structural errors, editing is taking a closer look at sentences and words to check for grammatical errors, spelling errors, repetition, punctuation, redundancy, and other minor but inexcusable writing errors.  

However, writers are advised against self-editing, as there is the tendency for a few errors to elude them. At Sabi Writers, the quality control department is there to edit and proofread as editing is not left to writers in order to ensure the highest quality.  

The Proofreading Stage 

The proofreading stage is where the final draft is reviewed to check for typographical, grammatical, and formatting errors. Proofreading ensures that the content is well written, organised, and easy to understand. Proofreading also ensures the document follows the prescribed style guide.

In summary, proofreading is just a final review of the final draft. This is the last writing process that vets the accuracy of all other processes. In traditional writing and publishing, no material should be published without being proofread.

Remember, no good literary piece comes out great without a process. The process is a sine qua non for all writing. If followed correctly, the writing processes can help to make for a professional and accurate document. 

Thank you for reading.

Conquering the Comma (2)

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People hate grammar—that much is common knowledge. But what we tend to forget is that good grammar makes for good writing. For this reason, we will be continuing with our ‘Conquering the Comma’ series, highlighting more uses of the comma, while also pointing out some common comma errors.

Use the comma in a direct address.

The Chicago Manual of Style notes that ‘…a comma is used to set off names or words used in direct address and informal correspondence’.

So we have:

Wendy, how are you?

Mum, will you be home tomorrow?

Also, place the comma before the name if it appears within the sentence or at the end of it.

Are you there, Tim?

I know your brother, David.

Use the comma to set off non-essential elements in a sentence.

Non-essential elements are clauses, phrases and words whose presence or absence does not affect the general message of the sentence.

I cooked the turkey, which took me nearly thirty minutes, before moving on to the decorations.

The trader, seeking higher profit, raised the prices of all her wares.

The rule of thumb with non-essential elements is that the comma is placed before and after the non-essential part.

Use a comma to indicate where a word has been omitted.

In cases like these, the comma helps to clear up confusion while indicating the omission.

Martha has two dogs; John (has) nine.

In that sentence, omitting ‘has’ without the use of the comma obscures the message being passed across.

The sentence becomes more straightforward when written like this.

Martha has two dogs; John, nine.

Use the comma to offset negation.

For example:

I saw a cow, not a duck.

She went to the mall, not the beach.

Some common comma errors:

  1. Comma splice

A comma splice is an error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. A comma splice can be fixed by adding coordinating conjunction to the comma or switching the comma with a semi-colon.

Wrong            I went to the mall, she followed me.

    Right                 I went to the mall, and she followed me

  • Using commas between correlative conjunctions

Sometimes, the comma is erroneously used between the two conjunctions in a pair.

For example:

He not only broke the record, but he also broke hers.

Although this comma usage often seems correct, it is wrong. This means the sentence above should be written as:

He not only broke the record but he also broke hers.

  • Adding a comma before ‘that’ in a clause

There’s the tendency to punctuate them alike because of the functional similarities between ‘that’ and ‘which’, which is  wrong.

Wrong             The man, that bought the car is here.

Right               The man that bought the car is here.

  • Using a comma before a verb in a relative clause

Placing a comma before the verb connecting the relative clause to the main clause breaks the flow between both clauses, which is frowned upon in standard grammar.

Wrong             One of the perks of being a mother, is having someone to love.

Right              One of the perks of being a mother is having someone to love.

  • The unnecessary comma

Sometimes, we place the comma incorrectly because of the relatable ‘I just felt there should be a comma there’ feeling. Sometimes, this hunch is right, while at other times, it is wrong.

The best way to avoid making such mistakes is by structuring your sentences with grammar rules in mind.

For example:

You either like food, or you don’t.

My dog died, because I starved it.

Both sentences are wrong because they need no comma.

Lastly, the easiest way to get the hang of comma use is by reading and writing regularly. When you see how others use the comma, you get better at using the comma. It’s that easy. Excellent comma use isn’t an impossible dream; it is easier than you think.

Conquering the Comma (1)

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The comma is a punctuation mark associated with brief pauses. It is also employed to mark off items in a list and to link phrases and clauses for a more explanatory sentence. 

Despite being the most abused, most underrated, and most misunderstood punctuation mark in the English Language, the comma remains the most significant. Here’s an example:

Let’s eat Grandma.

The sentence above implies that ‘the children want to eat their Grandma’, but if we add a comma, you’ll find out that they really don’t want to eat their Grandma; the sentence is only bereft of punctuation.

Let’s eat, Grandma.

This shows that the presence or absence of the comma can determine the understanding of the simplest messages.

So how do you master this elusive punctuation? By learning when to use the comma. 

Use the comma to separate items on a list.

At the market, I bought oranges, apples, mangoes, and cherries.

Take a cup, two shoes, and three pencils with you.

Note that some scholars see no need for the use of the Oxford or serial comma, which is the comma used after the penultimate item, but as professionals, we advise that you use it as it helps to clear up certain confusions. 

This popular internet meme emphasises our point: 

We invited strippers, JFK and Stalin.

The absence of the comma made it seem like JFK and Stalin are the strippers (how hilarious that is).

But if you add the serial comma, it would read: 

We invited strippers, JFK, and Stalin.

Serial commas have just helped to make the sentence clearer. 

Use the comma after introductory clauses, phrases, or words.

To be healthy, you must always feed well.

As a matter of fact, I want her to leave now.

As you know, a phrase is a group of words that does not have a finite verb, and cannot stand alone, or pass a complete message. 

Introductory phrases, however, are phrases that provide background information about the sentences they are linked to.

However, not all hotels are comfortable.

Introductory words like ‘however’, ‘initially’ ‘still’, and ‘meanwhile’ serve as links of interaction from one sentence to another. 

Nevertheless, you might have stumbled upon style guides that frown on the use of ‘however’ as the opening word in a sentence. They prefer writers to use ‘nevertheless’ or ‘but’.

 It is advisable to use ‘however’ as it seamlessly connects the preceding sentence with the following sentence. Also, why waste a perfect word for no justifiable reason?

Use the comma before a quotation.

Here the comma distinguishes the main sentence from the quoted sentence.

He said, ‘Hand me my bag, please’.

‘I am in the room’, she said.

‘I did it’, she seethed. ‘And I will do it again!’

Use the comma to separate a dependent clause that comes before the independent clause. 

Dependent clauses have subjects or verbs but do not express complete thoughts. They cannot stand alone but must be linked to the main sentence by a comma.

If you cannot make it, please call me.

After settling the fight, David took a long bath.

Use the comma to join long independent clauses.

When used between two independent clauses, the comma prevents confusion while also serving as a link. This function is mostly appreciated by readers who sometimes need a pause to catch their breaths after a long read.

I was determined to find her a new apartment, but my money was short.

There were no cars in the parking lot and the driveway even though the lights were on, so I had to call.

Use the comma after free-standing words like ‘thank you’, ‘no’, ‘hello’ and ‘yes’.

Yes, I will be there tomorrow.

No, I will not be there tomorrow.

Thanks, but I am aware.

Or.

Hello, how are you?

We have only scratched the surface, but we intend to go further. In our next post, we’ll be highlighting more comma functions, some comma errors and finally give you concise tips on how to conquer the comma.

Ever heard of a comma splice?

You’ll find out in our next post.

3 Reasons You Need To Write Beyond Your Niche.

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In an earlier post, we emphasised the need for writers to find their niches, but in this post, we will be discussing why  writers should go beyond their niches. Much as this may seem like a contradiction, it is not. We aim to help writers understand that a niche is not equivalent to a limit. You are not circumscribed to explore only within the borders of your niche; there is so much more you can do.

All writing is art, and all art is boundless. A writer with a niche is not a writer with a boundary, but one with a recognised and developed area of strength.

To buttress our point, here are three valid reasons why every writer needs to go beyond his/her niche.

  1. Professional writers try to know a little of everything.

Much as it is impossible to know everything, it is possible to know a little of everything. This is the difference between the exceptional and the ordinary—versatility.

If there is one thing professional writers are known for, it is flexibility. They refuse to be constrained within a forte. They are curious enough to try their hands on any aspect of writing they pick an interest in. Now, while they may not get it right, they gain knowledge.

Professional writers are not the best at everything; they are writers who are dedicated to expanding their range of knowledge and experience.

2. Challenging yourself boosts mental agility.

Mental agility is the ability to segue from one task to another. Mental agility is one of the most important skills any individual could possess. It is necessary for every person irrespective of career choice.

Writers need mental agility, and one of the easiest ways to boost it is by challenging yourself. Challenges are a lot like the physical exercises we do to keep our bodies fit, except this time, it’s our minds.

Taking on new duties no matter how difficult, trains your mind to adapt to foreign objectives or conditions. This way, nothing overwhelms you mentally because your mind is prepared to take on challenges.

Trying out other types of writing is a form of challenge. You don’t have to get it right. You might even do very poorly, but you put your brain to the test, and that’s all that matters. 

3. Versatility heightens your creativity.

Writing exposes you to different styles, types and methods of writing. It also causes you to develop a unique flavour that comes only by experience and exposure. It gives you flair, energy, and a vibe that you can’t find anywhere else. Dabbling takes your writing from good writing to sui generis.

Remember, it is never about being good at everything. It is all about keeping yourself unhindered and letting your talent run wild and free. It is about self-exploration, satisfying curiosity and learning new things.

Why keep yourself circumscribed within a niche when you could go much farther?

Today, try your hands on other genres of writing.

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