Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

Hints that the author gives of things that are going to happen later in the story

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

a reference in literature to a well-known person, place, or thing

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

a problem that a person is struggling within himself; man vs self

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

A comparison between two things using like or as

when an author leads the reader to believe something will happen, but the opposite happens

Problem or struggle between opposing forces

extreme exaggeration to create a dramatic effect

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

Force or character working against the main character in a story

when an author SHOWS information about a character rather than telling it

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

A character that changes over the course of the story

A character that stays the same throughout a story

A conversation between 2 or more characters

Universal idea or lesson about life; main idea of a literary work

Conclusion of the story where the conflict is resolved

Where and when a story takes place

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

Shows events from before the present time of the story; a glimpse of the past

The main character in a story

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Anything that is something on its own, but also represents something more