Literary Terms (Literary Devices) ADVANCED

Where and when a story takes place

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.

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Conclusion of the story

Plot that builds to climax

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

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

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

A piece of prose that can be read in one sitting

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

Position from which the story is told

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Story told in first person and is a true

The main character in a story

Set of actions bringing the story to an end

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

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

To chart the course of a story

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

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

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject