Literary writing has three key characteristics: tension, artistic language, and literary devices.

Tension There is a struggle between two opposing forces.  Usually, the main character struggles against another person society nature self

Artistic Language Hyperbole Metaphor Personification Repetition Simile Symbolism

Literary Devices Characterization Dialogue Setting

Memory Device: The characteristics were arranged in this order—Tension, Artistic language, and Literary devices—to create a memory device: TALe.  Since a tale is a story and telling a good story is an art form, TALe is a good way to remember the characteristics of literary writing.