Literary Elements and Devices

A literary device in which an author drops subtle hints about plot developments to come later in the story.

Literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to the implied meanings

The reason, justification, and explanation for the action of a character.

Method used to develop a character

Writing of language that evokes one or all of the five senses.

A statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true.

An expression not interpreted literally

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution

The portion of the text that includes meeting the characters, learning the setting, and gaining background information.

Character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character.

The way a text or passage is organized

Appeal to reasoning

A piece of writing that deliberately copies another work but does not comment or critique it.

To describe something by comparing it to something else.

To describe something as it is

Refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes directly

The time and location in which a story takes place.

All of the following are methods of characterization except

An important and/or recurring image, idea, work, phrase, or action that tends to create unity within a literary work

A comparison between two different things using "like" or "as"

Substituting a word for another word closely associated with it

A piece of writing that deliberately copies another work in order to comment or critique it.

Appeal to character and credibility

A typical character, action, or situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature.

Appeal to emotions

Attitude of the author/speaker towards the subject and/or toward the audience implied in a literary work

The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.

The opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot.

A work in which the characters and events represent other things and symbolically expresses a deeper meaning.

The atmosphere or state of mind of a literary work

A deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect

The perspective on events of the narrator or a particular character in a story

Giving human qualities to inanimate objects

The use of symbols to represent something abstract by something concrete

Technique of using language effectively and persuasively in written or spoken form.

The person, character, or thing that opposes the main character.

Repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer.

A brief reference to a person, event, place (real or fictitious), or work of art.

A story's main character

A comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be"

Literary style that presents a character's continuous random flow of thoughts as they arise.

The use of wit, especially exaggeration, parody, irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to critique politics or society.

Putting two contradictory words together

A mocking remark usually intended to wound or amuse

A writer's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language which combine to help create meaning

The main message of a literary work.