Literary Terms & Devices

Conflict a character has a problem within themselves. (INSIDE SELF)

The person/thing working against the protagonist.

Reason or basis for a character's actions or words.

Comparing two things. Example: The still lake WAS a mirror.

Story of a person's life written by that person.

To Point out differences.

Stories often involving magic or characters with super human powers.

A character who changes little or not at all.

To point out similarities.

Writing that appeals to the reader's senses. Touch, Taste, Hear, See, Smell.

Example: "I think the Philadelphia Phillies are the best team ever!"

Sounds written out. Example: Buzz! Whoosh! Beep!

Representing something. Example: $ = Money

The time and place of a story.

Comparing two things using LIKE or AS. Example: The still lake was LIKE a mirror.

An Exaggeration. Example: "It's raining cats and dogs!"

Stories, traditions, and customs passed down within a culture.

The emotions or feelings associated with a word.

The dictionary meaning of a word.

Factual information real people, places, and events.

The Narrator is NOT a character in the story.

A difference between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen.

Conversations between characters

Stories with gods, goddesses, and mortals that try to answer questions about the universe.

Story about a person's heroic deeds.

Example: "When I saw the car accident , I remembered mine many years ago."

Giving something human features: Example: "The sun smiled at me."

Story with animals as characters that teaches a lesson or moral.

All the words starting with the same letter. Example: The Awesome Armani Acts All Awkwardly.

The author's message to the reader.

Language spoken in a particular place or region.

A character who grows, change, and matures in a story.

The most exciting part or most intense point.

A story's sequence of events from start to end with a Climax in the middle.

The main character or hero.

To point out similarities.

Stories based on real or imagined Scientific developments.

Story of a person's life written by another person.

Conflict a character has a problem with another character or force. (OUTSIDE SELF)

The Narrator IS a character in the story.