Duplicate of Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

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

The main character in a story is called

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

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

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

A character that stays the same throughout a story

The setting, character, and basic situation in a story as labelled on a plot diagram

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

When the character telling the story is an outside observer; uses "they", "he", "she", "it"

Where and when a story takes place

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

The emotion or feeling the reader gets from the story is identified as:

An author's word choice

When a character in a story is the narrator and uses I, me, my, and we to tell the story

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

A comparison between two things using like or as

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

An author's use of vivid description that appeals to the reader's five senses

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

A reference to a well-known person, historical event, place, or work of literature.

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

Anything that stands for or represents something else

In a story, a universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

What is the conclusion of the story as labelled on a plot diagram?

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story