Literary Devices-Definitions

Question 1

The major category into which a literary work fits

Accepted Answer

genre

Question 2

The character(s) (or situation) that represents the opposition of the protagonist.

Accepted Answer

antagonist

Question 3

Two words, phrases, images, ideas placed close together (side by side) for comparison/contrast

Accepted Answer

juxtaposition

Question 4

The ironic minimizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.

Accepted Answer

understatement

Question 5

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion attitude, or color.

Accepted Answer

denotation

Question 6

Concepts, animals, or inanimate objects endowed with human attributes or emotions

Accepted Answer

personification

Question 7

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things, suggesting similarity.

Accepted Answer

metaphor

Question 8

The process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character.

Accepted Answer

characterization

Question 9

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

Accepted Answer

euphemism

Question 10

Direct or indirect reference to events, books, myths, places, etc. which are commonly known.

Accepted Answer

allusion

Question 11

Someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve

Accepted Answer

static character

Question 12

The emotional feeling that surrounds the reader.

Accepted Answer

Mood

Question 13

Comparison of two dissimilar things/people/places/concepts marked by "as"/"such as"/"like"

Accepted Answer

simile

Question 14

A person who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a conflict or facing a crisis

Accepted Answer

dynamic character

Question 15

Sensory details (figurative lang.) used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

Accepted Answer

imagery

Question 16

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life

Accepted Answer

Theme

Question 17

The author’s attitude toward his material.

Accepted Answer

Tone

Question 18

One who has a complex personality; he/she is often portrayed as conflicted/contradictory

Accepted Answer

round character

Question 19

The occurrence of events told to the reader which have taken place before the narration

Accepted Answer

flashback

Question 20

A character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight an attribute

Accepted Answer

foil

Question 21

Indicative words or phrases that give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen.

Accepted Answer

foreshadowing

Question 22

Something concrete (object, action, character, scene) that represents something more abstract

Accepted Answer

symbol

Question 23

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory but contains some truth or validity.

Accepted Answer

paradox

Question 24

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

Accepted Answer

hyperbole

Question 25

Any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through the entire work.

Accepted Answer

motif

Question 26

Emotional mood created by a literary work, established by the setting and the objects described

Accepted Answer

atmosphere

Question 27

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

Accepted Answer

connotation

Question 28

The technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group.

Accepted Answer

jargon

Question 29

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

Accepted Answer

irony

Question 30

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

Accepted Answer

vernacular

Question 31

A resistance the protagonist of the story finds in achieving his aims or dreams.

Accepted Answer

conflict

Question 32

The story's main character; He/she (or they) is faced with a conflict that must be resolved.

Accepted Answer

protagonist

Question 33

Contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases/clauses/sentences using parallel structure

Accepted Answer

antithesis

Question 34

The writer’s word choices, especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

diction

Question 35

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

Accepted Answer

Onomatopoeia

Question 36

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

Accepted Answer

oxymoron

Question 37

A reference to a concept, person or object that has served as a prototype of its kind.

Accepted Answer

archetype

Question 38

This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic

Accepted Answer

flat character

Question 39

The duplication of any element of language (sound/word/phrase/clause/sentence)

Accepted Answer

repetition

Literary Devices-Definitions

Questions 39

Literary Devices-Definitions

Questions 39