Literary Elements and Devices

The reason, justification, and explanation for the action of a character.

Character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character.

The opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot.

A comparison between two different things using "like" or "as"

Technique of using language effectively and persuasively in written or spoken form.

Substituting a word for another word closely associated with it

Attitude of the author/speaker towards the subject and/or toward the audience implied in a literary work

The portion of the text that includes meeting the characters, learning the setting, and gaining background information.

Literary style that presents a character's continuous random flow of thoughts as they arise.

The main message of a literary work.

Literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to the implied meanings

The way a text or passage is organized

The time and location in which a story takes place.

The atmosphere or state of mind of a literary work

A literary device in which an author drops subtle hints about plot developments to come later in the story.

A deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect

Method used to develop a character

A story's main character

A mocking remark usually intended to wound or amuse

A work in which the characters and events represent other things and symbolically expresses a deeper meaning.

An important and/or recurring image, idea, work, phrase, or action that tends to create unity within a literary work

To describe something by comparing it to something else.

An expression not interpreted literally

A piece of writing that deliberately copies another work in order to comment or critique it.

To describe something as it is

Refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes directly

The perspective on events of the narrator or a particular character in a story

A typical character, action, or situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature.

Writing of language that evokes one or all of the five senses.

A writer's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language which combine to help create meaning

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution

A brief reference to a person, event, place (real or fictitious), or work of art.

Appeal to emotions

A piece of writing that deliberately copies another work but does not comment or critique it.

Putting two contradictory words together

The person, character, or thing that opposes the main character.

The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.

A comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be"

The use of wit, especially exaggeration, parody, irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to critique politics or society.

Giving human qualities to inanimate objects

A statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true.

All of the following are methods of characterization except

Appeal to character and credibility

The use of symbols to represent something abstract by something concrete

Appeal to reasoning

Repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer.