English 9: Literary Devices

A person, place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself.

A struggle that occurs within a character.

The method of narrating a short story, novel, poem, or work of nonfiction.

Involves a character pitted against an outside force.

This gives human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to inanimate objects. 

Descriptive words that recreate sensory experiences. Helps the reader imagine the scene.

A conversation, an episode, or an event that happened before the beginning of the story. 

The main idea in a work of literature.

The attitude a writer takes towards the subject.

The character, object, force of nature, or aspect of society in opposition with the hero.

When similar sounding words or phrases are used, usually in an attempt to be funny.

The struggle between opposing forces.

The central character of hero, usually the one with whom the audience tends to identify.

Occurs when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another (sarcasm).

A special kind of contrast between appearance and reality. 

The contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually happens.

The feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader using descriptive words.

A character who remains the same as the plot unfolds.

The methods that a writer uses to develop characters.

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.

A type of irony where the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know.

Figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or a humorous effect.

A writer's use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later.

This makes a comparison between two things that are unlike by saying that one is the other.

An indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event.

A character who undergoes changes as the plot unfolds.