Literary Devices

Question 1

absurd or self-contradictory statement that when explained may prove to be well founded or true

Accepted Answer

paradox

Question 2

doesn't undergo any change in character, personality or perspective over the course of a story.

Accepted Answer

static character

Question 3

a group of actors who commented upon the main action of a play with song, dance, and recitation

Accepted Answer

chorus

Question 4

a warning or indication of a future event.

Accepted Answer

foreshadow

Question 5

any struggle between opposing forces. Usually, the main character against some other force

Accepted Answer

conflict

Question 6

the traditional larger way playwrights break up the action of a play

Accepted Answer

act

Question 7

visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.

Accepted Answer

imagery

Question 8

when the characters are unaware of something the audience knows; creates tension and suspense

Accepted Answer

dramatic irony

Question 9

point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point.

Accepted Answer

climax

Question 10

occurs right after the climax, when the main problem of the story resolves

Accepted Answer

falling action

Question 11

a remark or passage that is intended to be heard by the audience but not the other characters.

Accepted Answer

aside

Question 12

an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature. (usually teaches a lesson)

Accepted Answer

theme

Question 13

a comparison between two similar things, for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Accepted Answer

analogy

Question 14

a form of expression natural to a language, person, or group of people.

Accepted Answer

idiom

Question 15

a long speech by one actor in a play or movie

Accepted Answer

monologue

Question 16

character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude

Accepted Answer

Dynamic Character

Question 17

have traits that earn sympathy of the audience, but have flaws/mistakes that lead to downfall

Accepted Answer

tragic hero

Question 18

an indirect or passing reference not another work of literature,art, history, etc.

Accepted Answer

allusion

Question 19

comic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset more serious sections.

Accepted Answer

comic relief

Question 20

opposite characters who highlight the traits of the other character.

Accepted Answer

foil

Question 21

the last of the five main elements of plot where all loose ends are tied up

Accepted Answer

resolution

Question 22

speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself

Accepted Answer

soliloquy

Question 23

a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work

Accepted Answer

prologue

Question 24

an instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating what actors should do

Accepted Answer

stage directions

Question 25

human characteristics to something nonhuman

Accepted Answer

personification

Question 26

a thing that represents or stands for something larger/abstract

Accepted Answer

symbol

Question 27

a series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative.

Accepted Answer

rising action

Question 28

the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using like or as

Accepted Answer

simile

Question 29

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.

Accepted Answer

flashback

Question 30

verse without rhyme, especially that which uses iambic pentameter.

Accepted Answer

blank verse

Question 31

using the different meanings and sounds of a word to make a joke; a play on words.

Accepted Answer

pun

Question 32

a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine

Accepted Answer

tragic flaw

Question 33

comparing something to which it is not literally applicable

Accepted Answer

metaphor

Question 34

a conversation between two or more characters

Accepted Answer

dialogue

Literary Devices

Questions 34

Literary Devices

Questions 34