Keystone Literary Devices

A perspective in literature presenting the story from an outside point of view (uses he/she)

A category used to classify literary works by form, technique, or content

The emotions that the story causes in the reader

The voice used by an author to tell/narrate a story or poem.

A comparison of 2 things that uses "like" or "as"

A variety of language distinct from the standard in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary

An object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form

A topic of discussion or work; a major idea in a work of literature - may be stated or implied

A comparison of 2 things that does not use "like" or "as"

To give reasons through an explanation to convey and represent the meaning of a text

To place together characters, situations, or ideas to show common and/or differing features

Makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information (Propaganda form)

A word that is similar in meaning to another word (for example happy and joyous)

A narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work, that gives necessary background.

An exaggeration or overstatement

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal

Traits that mark a work as analytical, informative or persuasive (facts, charts...)

Information aimed at positively or negatively influencing the opinions of large #s of people -P

The portion of a story where the conflict is resolved

The time and place in which a story occurs

An implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event.

A device used to present information that happened before current events in the story

The author's choices regarding language, sentence structure, voice, and tone to communicate

The center of interest or attention

The genre of literature including works intended for television, the stage, movies, or radio.

A struggle or clash between two opposing characters, forces, or emotions

When you attack a person instead of an issue (Propaganda Form)

"Personal" point of view relating events as they are perceived by the narrator

The use of language to create sensory impressions

To examine and judge carefully

Language that cannot be taken literally, since it was written to make a special effect/feeling

Specific word choices in a text that strongly support the tone, mood, or meaning of it.

A written account of another person's life

A judgement based on reasoning, rather than on a direct or explicit statement.

The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits and personalities

The turning point in a narrative; the moment when the conflict is most intense.

An extended speech spoken by a single character in a drama

The attitude of the author toward the audience, characters, subject, or work itself.

Persuades the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or an idea (Propaganda form)

Conversations between characters in a literary work

A device in literature where an object represents an idea

Groups of letters placed after a word that alter its meaning (such as "ing" or "ed")

Words and phrases in a passage that help to reason out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach toward a topic.

The written text of a play, including dialogue between characters stage directions, and more

A word that is opposite in meaning to another word (For example, Boiling / Freezing)

The position of the narrator in relation to the story-first person, second person, third person

Tools used by the author to enliven and provide voice to his/her story

A person, animal, or inanimate object portrayed in a literary work 

The author's central thought; the chief topic of a text; the topic sentence of a paragraph.

To capture all the most important information in a text, but express it in a shorter way

The part of a literary plot wherein tensions are diminished and the resolution can be seen

Words that have several meanings depending on how they are used in a sentence

One or more letters attached to the beginning, end, or base of a word that changes its form

Any story that is the product of imagination rather than documentation

The rhyming pattern, meter, grammar, and imagery used by a poet to convey a meaning

To make a judgement or decision based on reasoning rather than direct or implicit statements.

Attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again (Propaganda form)

States a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument (Propaganda form)

A piece of clear information provided objectively, presented as true.

Text that is not fictional; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct, or describe

Persuades the reader by using words that appeal to his emotions instead of to reason/logic (P)

To make understandable, plain, or clear

The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words. "Peter Piper Picked a Peck"

An attempt to distract the reader with details not related to the argument (Propaganda form)

A person, animal, or thing telling the story or giving an account of something

The author's intent either to inform, to entertain people, or to persuade.

A genre of writing designed to present ideas and evoke emotions - has many forms

When you try to persuade someone to do something because "everyone's doing it"(Propaganda form)

A conclusion drawn from specific information and used to make a broad statement about the topic

Elements of literature that emphasize sound

Traits that mark a work as imaginative or narrative discourse (eg. plot, theme, symbol...)

The structure of the story - the chain of events - Includes rising action, climax, etc...

Clearly expressed or fully stated in the actual text

Persuades the reader by showing how many people think something is true (Propaganda form)