Keystone Literary Devices

A device used to present information that happened before current events in the story

The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach toward a topic.

A word that is similar in meaning to another word (for example happy and joyous)

Specific word choices in a text that strongly support the tone, mood, or meaning of it.

To place together characters, situations, or ideas to show common and/or differing features

To make understandable, plain, or clear

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal

To make a judgement or decision based on reasoning rather than direct or implicit statements.

The use of language to create sensory impressions

The written text of a play, including dialogue between characters stage directions, and more

A judgement based on reasoning, rather than on a direct or explicit statement.

To examine and judge carefully

A device in literature where an object represents an idea

The portion of a story where the conflict is resolved

When you try to persuade someone to do something because "everyone's doing it"(Propaganda form)

Elements of literature that emphasize sound

The rhyming pattern, meter, grammar, and imagery used by a poet to convey a meaning

Conversations between characters in a literary work

A category used to classify literary works by form, technique, or content

The author's intent either to inform, to entertain people, or to persuade.

The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words. "Peter Piper Picked a Peck"

The part of a literary plot wherein tensions are diminished and the resolution can be seen

One or more letters attached to the beginning, end, or base of a word that changes its form

Traits that mark a work as imaginative or narrative discourse (eg. plot, theme, symbol...)

An extended speech spoken by a single character in a drama

Any story that is the product of imagination rather than documentation

A variety of language distinct from the standard in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary

States a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument (Propaganda form)

"Personal" point of view relating events as they are perceived by the narrator

A narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work, that gives necessary background.

An exaggeration or overstatement

The attitude of the author toward the audience, characters, subject, or work itself.

Words and phrases in a passage that help to reason out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again (Propaganda form)

The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits and personalities

The emotions that the story causes in the reader

An attempt to distract the reader with details not related to the argument (Propaganda form)

Clearly expressed or fully stated in the actual text

The time and place in which a story occurs

The voice used by an author to tell/narrate a story or poem.

An object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form

The author's central thought; the chief topic of a text; the topic sentence of a paragraph.

Tools used by the author to enliven and provide voice to his/her story

Makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information (Propaganda form)

The genre of literature including works intended for television, the stage, movies, or radio.

A genre of writing designed to present ideas and evoke emotions - has many forms

To capture all the most important information in a text, but express it in a shorter way

The turning point in a narrative; the moment when the conflict is most intense.

Traits that mark a work as analytical, informative or persuasive (facts, charts...)

The center of interest or attention

A topic of discussion or work; a major idea in a work of literature - may be stated or implied

Persuades the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or an idea (Propaganda form)

A struggle or clash between two opposing characters, forces, or emotions

The structure of the story - the chain of events - Includes rising action, climax, etc...

To give reasons through an explanation to convey and represent the meaning of a text

The position of the narrator in relation to the story-first person, second person, third person

Language that cannot be taken literally, since it was written to make a special effect/feeling

Words that have several meanings depending on how they are used in a sentence

The author's choices regarding language, sentence structure, voice, and tone to communicate

Information aimed at positively or negatively influencing the opinions of large #s of people -P

A perspective in literature presenting the story from an outside point of view (uses he/she)

A person, animal, or thing telling the story or giving an account of something

Persuades the reader by using words that appeal to his emotions instead of to reason/logic (P)

When you attack a person instead of an issue (Propaganda Form)

A comparison of 2 things that does not use "like" or "as"

Groups of letters placed after a word that alter its meaning (such as "ing" or "ed")

A written account of another person's life

A conclusion drawn from specific information and used to make a broad statement about the topic

An implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event.

Text that is not fictional; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct, or describe

A word that is opposite in meaning to another word (For example, Boiling / Freezing)

A comparison of 2 things that uses "like" or "as"

A piece of clear information provided objectively, presented as true.

Persuades the reader by showing how many people think something is true (Propaganda form)

A person, animal, or inanimate object portrayed in a literary work