Fox Tech: Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Conclusion of the story

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

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

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Where and when a story takes place

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

The main character in a story

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

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

An author's word choice

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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