Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

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

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

In a story, a universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

The main character in a story

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

Where and when a story takes place

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Conclusion of the story

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

An author's word choice

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

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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