Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

The main character in a story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

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

Conclusion of the story

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Amazing avocados are everywhere.

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

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

Where and when a story takes place

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

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

When the opposite of what you expect to happens happens.

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

Force or character working against the main character in a story

Anything that stands for or represents something else.

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

A comparison between two things using like or as

The word used to describe a sound that something makes

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

A description that appeals to one's five senses

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

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

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

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

An author's word choice