Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

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

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

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

Where and when a story takes place

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

In a story, a universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

Conclusion of the story

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

An author's word choice

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

The main character in a story

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

A comparison between two things using like or as