Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Force or character working against the main character in a story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

An author's word choice

A comparison between two things using like or as

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

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

The main character in a story

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

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

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

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

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Conclusion of the story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

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

Where and when a story takes place

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