Literary Terms & Devices

The person/thing working against the protagonist.

A difference between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen.

Writing that appeals to the reader's senses. Touch, Taste, Hear, See, Smell.

She read each beautifully bound book.

Tom was unruly, mean, and belligerent towards his classmates.

The time and place of a story.

The author's message about the human experience.

We have to go and eat before I starve to death.

The type of stories about an unpleasant imaginary place meant to make a comment on society.

They walked in the bright darkness.

Crossing the bridge was LIKE walking a tightrope.

An implied comparison of two things. Example: The still lake was a mirror.

When the narrator IS the main character in the story.

The use of figurative language to appeal to the senses of the reader.

Sounds written out. Example: Buzz! Whoosh! Beep!

They simply studied dispelling doubts about malicious motivations.

The author's use of words.

She sat down feeling the stubborn chair, its hard surface unable to give her any comfort.

Conversations between characters

When the Narrator is NOT a character in the story.

He walked with a peaceful anger as if he loved and hated everyone.

The force which opposes the main character of a story.

To point out similarities.

The room was an armpit of scents too rancid to identify.

Use of an item to represent an idea.

When the unexpected happens in a situation.

This homework will take an eternity!

The emotional response of the reader to foreshadowing, suspense, etc.

The sun smiled and kissed my cheek.

He felt like he had conquered the world.

A story's sequence of events from start to end with a Climax in the middle.

The way an author uses the story to help the reader understand the protagonist.

The main character involved in the central conflict.

To Point out differences.