Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

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

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

Conclusion of the story

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

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

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

Where and when a story takes place

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

The main character in a story

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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

An author's word choice