Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Where and when a story takes place

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

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

Conclusion of the story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

The main character in a story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

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

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

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