Literary Devices and Plot Structure

the turning point in the story

the person or entity that actively opposes the protagonist

"Psst!" I whispered to Susie. This is an example of...

introduces the setting and the characters

the author or the narrator's position in relation to a story being told

when the author uses words that appeal to our FIVE SENSES to help us VISUALIZE pictures in our heads

the story comes to a reasonable ending

when the author provides hints about what may happen in the future

ties up loose ends in a story and sometimes offers an unexpected twist

an unexplained reference to someone, something, a place, or an event outside of the text

"She pet the horse's long, brown, silky tail." This is an example of ...

a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect

An event that thrusts the main character into the action of the story/everything else up to this point is the exposition

"The crab is pretty ugly." This is an example of ...

"I studied, but got an F on my test." This is an example of...

time and place of the action in a story

the series of events in a story

a struggle within a character's mind

the use of words whose sound echo their meanings such as buzz or murmur

a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens

"The stairs groaned as I climbed up to my bedroom." This is an example of...

a figure of speech or expression in which the meaning is not literal

Saying, "You're a grinch" would be considered a/an?

when human qualities are given to an object or animal

"It's raining cats and dogs!" This is an example of an ...

"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse." This is an example of...

"I have a bad feeling about this." This is an example of ...

A struggle between a character and an outside force

a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are intentionally paired together to make a point

shows how the conflict unfolds and complicates

Which candy is the best?

A character who undergoes a major change or transformation in the story

He is AS fast AS a cheetah. Metaphor or simile?

a comparison of two things that are basically unlike and does NOT use like or as

A character that does NOT undergo a significant change

the beginning of two or more stressed syllables of a word group with the same sound

"Sally sells seashells by the seashore." This is an example of ...

"Holy cow, this kid is a magician!" Metaphor or simile?

the main character or hero in the story

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using like or as