Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

A comparison between two things using like or as

An author's word choice

A character that stays the same throughout a story

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story.

Conclusion of the story

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

Type of irony in which the reader or audience knows something that a character does not.

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

Where and when a story takes place

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

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

3rd person POV in which the neutral narrator objectively "eavesdrops" and is not privy to characters' feelings/thoughts

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

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

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

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Saying, phrase, or fixed expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. "Piece of cake!"

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

The main character in a story

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

Polite, indirect expression that replaces words/phrases considered harsh & impolite. Ex: "John kicked the bucket."(Died)

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

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

Type of 3rd-person pov in which the narrator is all-knowing and can narrate the thoughts/feelings of multiple characters