Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

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

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Where and when a story takes place

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

The main character in a story

Conclusion of the story

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

An author's word choice

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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