KS4 Literary Terms & Devices

Reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work or work of art.

Conclusion of the story

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

A character that stays the same throughout a story

The main character in a story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

A comparison between two things using like or as

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of characters, reader, or audience

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

A character that undergoes a major change over the course of the story

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

The introduction of setting, character, and basic situation in a story

In a story, the highest or most intense point in the development

Where and when a story takes place

A character that is stereotypical or only shows a few, one-sided traits

Shows events from before the present time of the story, often to reveal a character's motives

A description that appeals to one's five senses

A conversation between characters; can be used to move the action along.

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

An author's word choice

A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the audience knows to be true.

A character telling the story is taking part in the story; i.e. I, me, my

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

A character that has both positive and negative characteristics (like a real person)

Hints that the author gives of things that are to come in the story.

Words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant.

When the character telling the story is an outside observer; i.e. they, he, she, it

A contrast between what appears to be real and what is actually real.