Literary Terms (Literary Devices) ADVANCED

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Position from which the story is told

Story told in first person and is a true

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

Set of actions bringing the story to an end

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

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

Conclusion of the story

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

The main character in a story

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Where and when a story takes place

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

A piece of prose that can be read in one sitting

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

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

Plot that builds to climax

To chart the course of a story

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

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject