Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

A character that does NOT change during a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Conclusion of the story

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Where and when a story takes place

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

The main character in a story

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

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