This tutorial is the continuation of our last top on literature. We explained in details 50 literary devices used in Nigerian examinations like JAMB, WAEC and even universities. while knowing all 50 devices is impressive, some appear in exams far more frequently than others. If you're short on time or want to focus your energy where it matters most, pay special attention to these ones. I've seen them show up repeatedly in WAEC, NECO, JAMB, JUPEB, and Post-UTME literature papers. So I have written this to pin point the most 15 ones candidates should pay attention to while preparing for their exams.
The Top 15 Most Tested Literary Devices
1. Simile - The Exam Favorite
This is probably the most tested device across all Nigerian literature exams. Examiners love it because it's straightforward to identify yet reveals how well you understand comparison. JAMB especially likes to give you four options and ask which contains a simile.
Common Exam Examples:
- From African poetry: "My father's hands were hard as stone from years of tilling the soil"
- WAEC prose passage: "The harmattan wind cut through our clothes like a sharp razor"
- JUPEB drama: "Her laughter was like bells ringing across the compound"
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB might ask: "Which of the following lines contains a simile?" Then give you four options. WAEC prefers: "Identify and explain the figure of speech in the line..." NECO sometimes asks you to write your own simile based on a given situation.
Quick Recognition Tip:
Just look for "like" or "as" making a comparison between two different things. If you see those words connecting unlike things, it's probably simile.
2. Metaphor - Second Most Common
Right behind simile, metaphor appears constantly. The tricky part is students often confuse it with simile. Remember - no "like" or "as" here. It's a direct identification, not a comparison.
Common Exam Examples:
- "The moon is a silver coin in the night sky" (JAMB 2019 poetry question)
- "Her words were poison that killed our friendship slowly" (WAEC prose)
- "Lagos is a beast that swallows young men whole" (Post-UTME passage)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC loves asking: "Comment on the effectiveness of the metaphor in line..." JUPEB might ask you to explain what two things are being compared in a metaphorical statement. Post-UTME sometimes gives extended metaphors and asks you to trace the comparison throughout a stanza.
Common Mistakes:
Don't say something is metaphor just because it sounds poetic. There must be direct identification - X IS Y, not X is LIKE Y.
3. Personification - Always Present
Every single exam board tests personification regularly. It's easy to identify once you know what to look for, and African literature uses it heavily because traditional storytelling often gives nature human qualities.
Beginners guide to essay writing in literature
Common Exam Examples:
- "The sun smiled down on the wedding party" (NECO 2020)
- "Night wrapped the village in her dark arms" (WAEC drama)
- "The river sang its ancient song as it flowed" (JAMB poetry)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB often asks multiple choice: "The literary device in the line above is..." WAEC prefers: "Identify the figure of speech and explain its effect." JUPEB sometimes asks you to create your own example of personification.
Recognition Tip:
Ask yourself: "Is a non-human thing doing something only humans can do?" If yes, it's personification. Things like thinking, feeling, speaking, dancing, smiling - these are human actions.
4. Hyperbole - The Exaggeration Favorite
Examiners love testing hyperbole because it appears everywhere in African oral literature and modern writing. Students often recognize it in everyday speech but miss it in literature passages.
Common Exam Examples:
- "I have told you a million times to read your books" (NECO prose)
- "The queue stretched from here to Abuja" (Post-UTME)
- "My school bag weighs a thousand tonnes with all these textbooks" (WAEC)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB asks: "The dominant literary device in the passage is..." when the character exaggerates throughout. WAEC might ask: "Why does the author use exaggeration in this context?" JUPEB could ask you to identify and explain the effect of hyperbole.
Important Note:
Explain that hyperbole emphasizes emotion or situation. Don't just say "it's exaggeration" - explain WHY the writer exaggerates.
5. Alliteration - Sound Device Champion
This is the most frequently tested sound device. Easy marks if you know what you're looking for. JAMB loves it in multiple choice, WAEC tests it in poetry analysis.
Common Exam Examples:
- "Peter picked plenty of pepper for the pot" (classic example in NECO)
- "The blazing ball burnt bright in the blue sky" (JUPEB poetry)
- "Silent shadows slipped slowly across the street" (WAEC)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB: "The sound device in the line is..." WAEC: "Comment on the poet's use of sound in the stanza." Post-UTME might ask you to identify all instances of alliteration in a given stanza.
What Examiners Want:
Don't just identify it - explain the effect. Alliteration creates rhythm, emphasizes certain words, or creates mood through repeated sounds.
6. Imagery - Universal Exam Topic
Every exam tests imagery because it's fundamental to literature analysis. The challenge is students often don't explain WHICH sense is being appealed to.
Common Exam Examples:
- "The aroma of mother's cooking filled every corner - spicy, rich, making my mouth water" (WAEC - appeals to smell and taste)
- "The rough bark scratched my palms as I climbed" (NECO - appeals to touch)
- "Market women's voices rang out sharp and loud in the morning air" (JAMB - appeals to hearing)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC often asks: "Identify the dominant imagery in the passage and comment on its effectiveness." JAMB might ask: "The imagery in the poem appeals mainly to the sense of..." JUPEB could ask you to explain how imagery enhances description.
Also read, the nine elements of drama you can to know
Key Point:
Always specify which sense - sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch. Many students lose marks by just saying "the author uses imagery" without specifying the type.
7. Irony - The Thinking Student's Device
Irony appears frequently, especially in prose and drama passages. It tests whether you truly understand the text, not just surface meaning. JAMB and Post-UTME particularly love testing irony.
Common Exam Examples:
- A character who preaches honesty while stealing (dramatic irony - WAEC drama question)
- "What beautiful weather!" said during a thunderstorm (verbal irony - NECO)
- The fire station that burned down (situational irony - JAMB prose)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB asks: "The dominant literary device in the passage above is..." when the situation is clearly ironic. WAEC might ask: "Comment on the irony in the character's situation." Post-UTME could give you a scene and ask you to identify and explain the type of irony.
Common Confusion:
Students call everything ironic. True irony involves reversal of expectation or contradiction between appearance and reality. Not every unfortunate event is ironic.
8. Symbolism - Deeper Meaning Device
Symbolism appears in almost every literature exam because African literature is rich with symbols. Understanding symbolism shows you can read beyond literal meaning.
Common Exam Examples:
- White cloth symbolizing purity in traditional ceremonies (WAEC drama)
- A journey symbolizing life or personal growth (JUPEB prose)
- Dawn/sunrise representing hope or new beginnings (NECO poetry)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC loves asking: "What does the [object] symbolize in the passage?" JAMB might ask: "The recurring image of [symbol] in the poem represents..." Post-UTME could ask you to trace a symbol throughout a passage.
Pro Tip:
Context determines symbolic meaning. The same symbol can mean different things in different texts. Always explain your interpretation based on the specific passage.
See full course note on prose narrative
9. Rhetorical Question - Common in Drama and Poetry
Rhetorical questions appear constantly in exam passages, especially in drama and persuasive speeches. Easy to identify, but students often forget to explain the effect.
Common Exam Examples:
- "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Biblical allusion, also rhetorical - WAEC)
- "Who doesn't want to succeed in life?" (NECO prose)
- "Can the leopard change its spots?" (JAMB poetry)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB: "The question in line X is an example of..." WAEC: "Why does the speaker ask this question?" JUPEB might ask you to explain the effect of the rhetorical question on the reader.
What to Say:
Explain that rhetorical questions emphasize a point, involve the reader, or express emotion (frustration, disbelief, etc.). The answer is usually obvious or impossible.
10. Allusion - Cultural Reference Device
Allusion tests whether students have broad knowledge. Nigerian exams frequently feature allusions to the Bible, traditional stories, or historical events.
Common Exam Examples:
- "He carried his cross without complaint" (Biblical allusion to Jesus - WAEC)
- "She's a modern-day Moremi" (allusion to Yoruba heroine - JUPEB)
- "Don't be a Judas to your friends" (Biblical allusion to betrayal - NECO)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC asks: "What is the significance of the reference to..." JAMB might ask you to identify what the allusion refers to. Post-UTME could ask how the allusion enriches meaning.
Study Tip:
Know common Biblical stories (Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, Judas, Moses, etc.) and major Nigerian historical figures and events. These appear repeatedly.
11. Repetition/Anaphora - Structural Favorite
Repetition and its specific form, anaphora, appear very frequently in poetry questions. Examiners test whether you notice structural patterns.
Common Exam Examples:
- "We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome" (NECO)
- "Every day brings new challenges, every day brings new hope" (anaphora - JAMB)
- "Never give up, never surrender, never lose faith" (WAEC)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC: "Comment on the poet's use of repetition in the stanza." JAMB: "The structural device in the lines above is..." JUPEB might ask you to explain the effect of the repeated phrase.
Analysis Points:
Repetition emphasizes important ideas, creates rhythm, builds emotional intensity, or makes phrases memorable. Don't just identify - explain the purpose.
12. Onomatopoeia - Sound Effect Device
This appears frequently in poetry analysis. Students often miss it or confuse it with alliteration. They're completely different - onomatopoeia imitates actual sounds.
Common Exam Examples:
- "The raindrops went pitter-patter on the roof" (NECO poetry)
- "Bees buzzed busily around the flowers" (WAEC - note: contains both onomatopoeia and alliteration)
- "The door creaked open slowly - eeeeeeee" (JAMB prose)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB: "The dominant sound device in the line is..." WAEC: "How does the poet create sound effects in the stanza?" NECO might ask you to identify words that imitate sounds.
Key Distinction:
Onomatopoeia = words that sound like their meaning (buzz, crash, whisper). Alliteration = repeated consonant sounds at word beginnings. A line can have both!
13. Paradox - Advanced Thinking Device
Paradox appears less frequently but almost always in JAMB and Post-UTME exams because it tests higher-level thinking. Students who understand paradox usually score high.
Common Exam Examples:
- "Less is more in effective communication" (JUPEB)
- "I must be cruel only to be kind" (WAEC drama - Shakespeare)
- "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know" (Post-UTME)
How It Appears in Exams:
Post-UTME loves asking: "Explain the apparent contradiction in the statement..." JAMB might ask: "The statement in line X is best described as..." WAEC could ask you to explain how the paradox reveals truth.
Analysis Strategy:
First explain what seems contradictory, then explain what deeper truth emerges. Show you understand it's not really contradictory when examined closely.
14. Oxymoron - Compressed Paradox
Oxymoron appears regularly in poetry analysis questions. It's like a mini-paradox in just two words placed together.
Common Exam Examples:
- "Bitter-sweet memories" (NECO)
- "Deafening silence" (WAEC poetry)
- "Organized chaos" (JAMB prose description)
How It Appears in Exams:
JAMB: "The expression 'deafening silence' is an example of..." WAEC: "Comment on the effectiveness of the expression..." NECO might ask you to explain the contradictory terms.
Quick Tip:
When you see two opposite or contradictory words paired together, it's probably oxymoron. Explain how the contradiction captures a complex reality.
15. Apostrophe - Direct Address Device
Apostrophe appears frequently in poetry and drama passages. Students often recognize it but don't know its technical name.
Common Exam Examples:
- "O Death, where is thy sting?" (WAEC poetry)
- "Nigeria, my beloved country, hear my cry!" (NECO)
- "Thou sun, why do you hide today?" (JAMB)
How It Appears in Exams:
WAEC: "Identify and explain the figure of speech in the line..." JAMB might ask about the effect of directly addressing an abstract concept. JUPEB could ask why the poet speaks to something that cannot respond.
Analysis Point:
Apostrophe reveals intense emotion and makes abstract concepts feel present and real. It shows the speaker's passionate state of mind.
Exam-Specific Patterns and Trends
JAMB Literature-in-English Patterns
JAMB typically gives you 120 questions to answer in 2 hours. About 15-20 questions focus specifically on literary devices. Here's what you'll see:
Multiple Choice Format:
"The dominant literary device in the lines above is: (A) simile (B) metaphor (C) personification (D) hyperbole"
Common Passages:
JAMB loves using poetry excerpts with obvious devices. They often choose poems with multiple devices so they can ask several questions from one passage. Expect 2-3 questions per passage.
Most Frequent Devices in JAMB:
- Simile and metaphor (guaranteed every year)
- Personification (appears in 90% of exams)
- Alliteration and other sound devices
- Imagery (especially visual and auditory)
- Irony (usually situational or verbal)
JAMB Trick Questions:
Watch out for lines that contain multiple devices. They might ask for the "dominant" one, meaning you have to recognize several but choose which is most important.
Example: "The angry sun punished us like a wicked master" contains both personification (angry sun) and simile (like a wicked master). If they ask for the dominant device, consider which is more central to the line's meaning.
Recent JAMB Trends (2020-2024):
- Increased questions on African oral literature devices (proverbs, call-and-response)
- More questions requiring you to identify the EFFECT of devices, not just name them
- Questions combining device identification with comprehension
WAEC Literature-in-English Patterns
WAEC paper 1 is objective (60 questions), paper 2 is essay (answer 6 questions). Literary devices appear heavily in both papers.
Paper 1 Objective Patterns:
Similar to JAMB but often more straightforward. They're testing whether you know definitions and can identify devices in context.
Paper 2 Essay Patterns:
This is where WAEC really tests your depth. You'll get questions like:
"With close reference to the poem, comment on the poet's use of imagery."
"Identify and explain three literary devices in the passage and discuss their effectiveness."
What WAEC Examiners Want:
- Specific quotations from the text
- Clear identification of the device
- Explanation of what the device means or does
- Discussion of how it contributes to theme, mood, or characterization
WAEC Marking Scheme Reality:
You get marks for: identification (2 marks), quotation (2 marks), explanation (3 marks), linking to theme/effect (3 marks). That's 10 marks per device if done well.
Most Tested in WAEC Essays:
- Imagery (they LOVE asking about imagery)
- Symbolism (especially in drama and prose)
- Simile and metaphor
- Irony (particularly in drama questions)
- Tone and mood (often asked together)
WAEC Secret:
They repeat question types. If you practice past papers from 2015-2024, you'll see the same question structures appearing. "Comment on the poet's use of..." appears almost every year.
NECO Literature Patterns
NECO is similar to WAEC in structure but sometimes slightly harder in their essay questions. They expect more sophisticated analysis.
NECO Objective Section:
60 questions covering all literature areas. About 12-15 questions specifically test literary devices. They like testing less common devices to separate strong students from average ones.
Devices NECO Loves:
- The usual suspects (simile, metaphor, personification)
- Less common sound devices (assonance, consonance)
- Structural devices (parallelism, chiasmus)
- Tone and mood questions
- Symbol and allegory
NECO Essay Peculiarity:
NECO sometimes asks you to discuss HOW a device contributes to the overall artistic merit of a work. This requires connecting device to theme, style, and purpose - higher level analysis.
Example Question: "Discuss the author's use of irony as a tool for social criticism in the novel."
This isn't just identifying irony - it's analyzing how irony serves the author's purpose of criticizing society.
NECO Trends:
- More questions on African traditional devices (call-and-response, incantation, proverbs)
- Integration of device analysis with theme discussion
- Comparative questions (comparing device use in two texts)
JUPEB Literature Patterns
JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board) is more advanced than WAEC/NECO because it's preparing you for university-level literature. Expect tougher questions.
JUPEB Exam Structure:
One paper with objective and essay sections. Essay questions require detailed analysis with multiple examples.
What Makes JUPEB Different:
They expect you to know technical terms for less common devices. They might test devices like:
- Synecdoche and metonymy
- Litotes and meiosis
- Epistrophe and anaphora (knowing the difference)
- Extended metaphor vs simple metaphor
JUPEB Essay Requirements:
You need 4-5 well-developed paragraphs per essay question. When discussing literary devices:
- Introduction stating which devices you'll discuss
- One paragraph per device with multiple examples
- Link each device to theme, characterization, or authorial purpose
- Conclusion synthesizing your analysis
Most Important for JUPEB:
- Deep understanding, not just surface identification
- Technical vocabulary (use proper names for devices)
- Multiple examples per device
- Sophisticated analysis of effect and purpose
- Connection to broader literary context
JUPEB Warning:
Don't just list devices. They hate answers that go: "The author uses simile. The author uses metaphor. The author uses personification." Without connecting these to meaning, you'll score poorly.
Post-UTME Literature Patterns
Post-UTME varies by university, but most follow similar patterns. Since spaces are limited, these exams try to separate top students from good students.
Common Post-UTME Format:
- 40-50 questions in 45-60 minutes (time pressure is real)
- Heavy emphasis on unseen passages
- Questions requiring both identification AND interpretation
Universities Known for Tough Device Questions:
- University of Ibadan (loves obscure devices and technical terms)
- University of Lagos (integrates device identification with critical analysis)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (expects knowledge of classical literary terms)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (heavy on African oral literature devices)
Post-UTME Trick Questions:
They love giving you passages with subtle devices. Example:
"The old man's silence spoke volumes that evening."
This contains oxymoron (silence spoke), personification (silence speaking), and possibly symbolism (what the silence represents). They'll ask which is "most significant" - testing whether you can prioritize.
Most Tested Devices:
- Paradox and oxymoron (they love these for advanced students)
- Different types of irony (you must know all three types)
- Symbolism and allegory
- Extended metaphors
- Classical devices (apostrophe, allusion, epigram)
Post-UTME Success Strategy:
Speed and accuracy matter. Practice identifying devices quickly. If a question seems unclear, use elimination method. Often two answers are obviously wrong, leaving you choosing between two possible correct answers - pick the more specific one.
FreshNote wish you the best.
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