Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

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

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

The main character in a story

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

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

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

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Conclusion of the story

An author's word choice

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

Where and when a story takes place