Literary Terms and Devices

Text that is written to tell factual information (textbooks, newspapers, reports, directions, etc.)

Central conflict unfolds, complications are introduced and suspense begins to build in the story.

The feeling that the reader gets from the story.

A group of words or phrases that are descriptive and appeal to the readers’ senses.

A problem or struggle that a character faces in a story—a conflict moves the plot along.

Story is told by a narrator outside the story, not one of the characters and uses pronouns such as he, she, it, and they

The beginning part of a story: introduces the setting and characters, sets the tone, and provides background information

Giving human characteristics to an animal, object, or idea.

A point of view where the narrator is a character in the story and uses pronouns such as I, me, and we.

An expression or saying whose meaning is different from the meaning of the literal words.

A comparison of two things that have some quality in common.

Events that occur after the climax and lead up to the closure and conclusion of the story.

The meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is shown within a literary text.

Comparing two things that have some quality in common, using words: like or as.

A person, animal, or imaginary creature in the story, play or novel.

A person or force working against the protagonist—typically the bad character.

The inclusion of clues or hints that suggest future events happening in a story.

Time and place of the story/action—can include: geographical location, historical period, season, and time of day.

An extreme exaggeration or overstatement used for emphasis or for a humorous effect.

The sequence of events that make up the story—what happens.

A word that imitates a sound.

The main character in a story, play or novel— typically the good character.

The perspective from which a story is told.

Writing that tells an imaginary story—may base parts of the story on real people or events.

The point of highest interest and emotion-usually occurs near the middle to end of a story. The TURNING POINT!