ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Literary technique

A literary technique is like the tools that a builder uses to build a house. Just like builders need different tools for different jobs, writers use different techniques to make their stories interesting and fun to read.

One of the most important literary techniques is called imagery. This is when a writer uses words to create pictures in your mind. So, instead of just saying "the cat was sleeping," the writer might say "the orange tabby curled up in a warm sunbeam, his eyes closed in contentment." This helps you imagine the cat in your mind and makes the story more vivid.

Another important literary technique is called foreshadowing. This is when the writer drops hints about what might happen later in the story. For example, they might mention a gun in the first chapter, but not use it until the last chapter. This keeps you interested and guessing about what will happen next.

Metaphors and similes are also important literary techniques. These are comparisons between two things that are not really alike. For example, "her eyes were like sparkling diamonds" is a metaphor that compares the person's eyes to diamonds. A simile would be "her eyes shone like diamonds."

In summary, a literary technique is like a special tool that a writer uses to make their story more interesting and fun to read. Just like builders need different tools for different jobs, writers use different techniques depending on what they're trying to accomplish with their story.
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