Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Where and when a story takes place

A description that appeals to one's five senses

An author's word choice

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

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

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

The setting reflects the emotions of the character..

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

The main character in a story

Conclusion of the story

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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.

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