Authors and poets use words to paint pictures, create images, and portray emotion. The type of language they use to accomplish this is called figurative language — a language which requires us to use our imagination to fully understand.  There are dozens of literary devices that the author might use to create his figurative language, but we will focus on seven devices that almost all authors and poets use. Understanding these basic devices will help you dive beneath the literal level of a story and enjoy the exciting figurative world below.