Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

The way in which the author develops the personalities of the characters

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Conclusion of the story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

An author's word choice

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

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

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

The sequence of events in a work of literature

Where and when a story takes place

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

A comparison between two things using like or as

A recurring feature of a work that develops a theme

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

When something unexpected happens or is said...

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

The main character in a story

Force or character working against the main character in a story

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