Keystone Literary Devices

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clearly expressed or fully stated in the actual text

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

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

Conversations between characters in a literary work

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

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

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

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

An extended speech spoken by a single character in a drama

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

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

The center of interest or attention

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

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

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

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

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

A written account of another person's life

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

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

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

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

A device in literature where an object represents an idea

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

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

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

The time and place in which a story occurs

To examine and judge carefully

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

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

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

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

The portion of a story where the conflict is resolved

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

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

The use of language to create sensory impressions

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

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

The emotions that the story causes in the reader

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

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

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

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

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

An object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form

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

To make understandable, plain, or clear

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal

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

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

An exaggeration or overstatement

Any story that is the product of imagination rather than documentation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elements of literature that emphasize sound

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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