* Imagery and Sensory Detail: Pelzer vividly describes the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of his abuse and deprivation. This creates a powerful and immersive reading experience, allowing the reader to almost feel the hunger, cold, and pain he endured. This is crucial in making his story believable and impactful.
* Understatement (Litotes): While describing horrific events, Pelzer sometimes uses understatement, minimizing the severity of his experiences. This subtle device highlights the emotional numbness and the normalization of abuse that he experienced. For example, he might describe a brutal beating as "a bit rough."
* Flashback: While the narrative mostly progresses chronologically, flashbacks are used to provide context and illustrate the escalation of abuse over time.
* Simile and Metaphor: Though not overly prevalent, Pelzer uses these occasionally to compare his feelings and experiences to something more readily understood by the reader. This aids in making the abstract realities of abuse more concrete.
* Repetition: Certain phrases or images might be repeated to emphasize the cyclical and relentless nature of his abuse.
It's important to note that the power of *A Child Called "It"* comes partly from its *lack* of overly ornate literary devices. The straightforward, almost brutally honest style enhances the impact of his story. The focus is on the raw emotional truth of his experiences rather than stylistic flourishes.