Duplicate of Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

The main character in a story

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

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

Where and when a story takes place

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

An author's word choice

Conclusion of the story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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