Your college essay is your chance to shine and showcase your unique personality, experiences, and writing skills. A well-written essay using literary devices can capture their attention and make your application stand out.
Literary devices can complement each other and be woven to create an original, vivid, and creative personal essay. However, it’s essential to use them judiciously and focus on employing a few devices effectively rather than overloading your essay with too many.
Let’s look at the most effective literary devices for college admissions essays.
Essay structure devices
Essay structure devices are techniques to organize and present information clearly and effectively. These devices help guide the reader through the essay, making it easier to follow the writer’s thoughts and arguments. Some standard essay structure devices include:
Symbolism
Symbolism is a literary device that uses objects, actions, or characters to represent abstract ideas or concepts. By incorporating symbolism into your essay, you can add depth and meaning to your writing, allowing readers to connect with your story on a deeper level.
Extended metaphor
An extended metaphor compares two unlike things sustained throughout a significant portion of your essay. This device helps create a cohesive narrative and reinforces the central theme or message you want to convey.
Example of a simple metaphor
Life is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs.
Example of an extended metaphor
Navigating high school was like sailing through uncharted waters. I was sometimes lost in a sea of assignments and extracurricular activities, struggling to keep my head above water. But as I learned to read the stars and trust my instincts, I discovered hidden strengths within myself. With each challenge I overcame, I grew more confident in my ability to weather any storm and chart my own course. By the time I reached the shore of graduation, I had become a skilled sailor, ready to embark on a new journey in the vast ocean of college life.
Storytelling devices
Storytelling devices are techniques used to engage the reader and make the essay more compelling and memorable. These devices help create a narrative arc that draws the reader in and keeps them interested. Some common storytelling devices include:
Into the midst of things, in medias res
In medias res is a storytelling technique that involves beginning your narrative in the middle of the action, rather than providing extensive background information. This approach captivates readers from the first sentence and encourages them to continue reading to understand the context and resolution of the story.
Example of in medias res
I stood center stage, heart pounding, as the curtain rose and the spotlight shone on me. It was the moment I had been preparing for all year, the culmination of countless hours of rehearsals and self-doubt. As I took a deep breath and began to sing, I realized that every challenge and setback had led me to this moment of triumph.
Flashback
A flashback is a scene that takes the reader back in time, providing context or background information relevant to the main story. Flashbacks can help you illustrate personal growth, provide insight into your motivations, or highlight significant events that have shaped your character.
Example of a flashback
Standing at the podium, ready to deliver my speech, I couldn’t help but think back to the day I first joined the debate team. I was a shy, introverted freshman, terrified of public speaking. But with the encouragement of my coach and teammates, I slowly began to find my voice. I remembered the long hours spent researching topics, the butterflies in my stomach before each competition, and the exhilaration of winning my first debate. Those experiences transformed me into the confident speaker I am today.
Dialogue
Incorporating dialogue into your essay can bring your characters to life, making your writing more engaging and immersive. Dialogue can also reveal important information about characters’ personalities, relationships, and motivations.
Example of dialogue
“‘You can do this,’ my best friend reassured me as I nervously adjusted my graduation cap. ‘You’ve worked so hard for this moment.’
Her words gave me the courage to enter the stage and receive my diploma. As I shook the principal’s hand and looked at the sea of proud faces, I realized that my friend’s support had been a constant source of strength throughout my high school journey.
‘I couldn’t have done it without you,’ I whispered as we hugged after the ceremony.”
Quotes
Using quotes from influential figures, literature, or personal conversations can add credibility and depth to your essay. Quotes can serve as powerful hooks, emphasize key points, or provide a fresh perspective on your topic.
Example of using quotes
As I volunteered at the local animal shelter, I was reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s words: ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ This quote inspired me to continue advocating for animal rights and welfare. I spent weekends cleaning cages, feeding abandoned pets, and educating visitors about the importance of responsible pet ownership. Through my work at the shelter, I discovered my passion for making a difference in the lives of animals and learned the true meaning of compassion and empathy.
Imagery devices
Imagery devices are techniques used to create vivid mental pictures in the reader’s mind, helping them to better understand and connect with the essay’s content. These devices engage the reader’s senses and make the writing more immersive. Some common imagery devices include:
Similes
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Similes can help you create vivid descriptions and evoke strong emotions in your readers.
Example of simile
My heart raced like a drum, and my palms were as sweaty as a glass of iced tea on a hot summer day.
Five senses
Engaging the reader’s five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch – can help create a more immersive and memorable experience. By describing sensory details, you can transport your readers into the scene and make your writing more engaging and relatable.
Example of five senses
The sweet aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled my nostrils as I bit into the freshly baked apple pie. The flaky, buttery crust crumbled in my mouth, revealing the tender, juicy apples within. The warmth of the pie radiated through my hands as I savored each delicious bite. The sound of my family’s laughter and the sight of their smiling faces around the table filled my heart with contentment. That moment, with all my senses engaged, remains one of my most cherished memories.
Personification
Personification is a literary device that attributes human qualities or actions to non-human objects or concepts. By using personification, you can make your descriptions more vivid, imaginative, and emotionally resonant.
Example of personification
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the forest’s secrets. The leaves danced to the gentle melody while the branches embraced the sky. As I walked along the trail, the sun smiled upon me, warming my skin and filling me with a sense of peace and harmony with nature.
Tone devices
Tone devices are techniques used to establish the essay’s overall mood and convey the writer’s attitude toward the subject matter. These devices help create a consistent and appropriate tone throughout the essay. Some common tone devices include:
Colloquialisms
Colloquialisms are informal words or phrases used in everyday language, often specific to a particular region or group. Using colloquialisms in your essay can help you establish a more conversational and authentic tone, making your writing more relatable and engaging.
Example of regional colloquialism
Growing up in the South, I was used to hearing phrases like ‘y’all’ and ‘fixin’ to’ sprinkled throughout conversations. These colloquialisms were as much a part of my upbringing as sweet tea and pecan pie. As I moved away for college, I slipped into my Southern drawl whenever I felt homesick, finding comfort in the familiar words and expressions that reminded me of my roots.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, often adding humor or drama to your writing. Hyperbole can help you convey strong emotions or make a lasting impression on your readers when used sparingly and effectively.
Example of hyperbole
I was so embarrassed I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. My face turned a shade of red brighter than a fire truck, and I felt like every eye in the room was glued to me. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to disappear into thin air and escape the humiliation of my mistake.
Sentence-level devices
Sentence-level devices are techniques used to improve the structure, flow, and impact of individual sentences within the essay. These devices help create a more engaging and effective writing style. Some common sentence-level devices include:
| Device | Definition | Example |
| Alliteration | The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. | “The silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” (Edgar Allan Poe) |
| Anaphora | The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. | “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills” (Winston Churchill) |
| Asyndeton | The omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses, often for emphasis or brevity. | “I came, I saw, I conquered” (Julius Caesar) |
| Polysyndeton | The deliberate use of many conjunctions to emphasize or create a rhythmic effect. | “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:25, ESV) |