Literary Terms (Literary Devices)

A comparison between two things using like or as

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

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

Writer's attitude toward his or her subject

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

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

Universal idea or lesson about life; understood by most cultures

Anything that stands for or represents something else

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

Conclusion of the story

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

Where and when a story takes place

Giving inanimate objects human characteristics

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

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

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

An author's word choice

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

Atmosphere or feeling we get from the story

Sally sells seashells by the sea shore, is an example of?

Comparison of two things without using like or as.

Force or character working against the main character in a story

A description that appeals to one's five senses

What literary term do we use when writing to recreate a sound?

Problem or struggle between opposing forces