Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

A description that appeals to one's five senses

A comparison between two things using like or as

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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

An author's word choice

The main character in a story

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

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

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

Conclusion of the story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where and when a story takes place

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story