Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

Where and when a story takes place

The main character in a story

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

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

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Conclusion of the story

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.

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

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

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces