Essential Literary Devices Flashcards
Symbols
These are often tangible things that represent intangibles
Duality
Division into two usually opposite or contradictory parts
Theme
The messages the author presents to the reader about life
Motif
A recurring subject or idea that points toward the major theme or themes
Foreshadowing
Hints that the author embeds in the text about what is to happen later
Situational irony
When a situation turns out differently than the character expects
Dramatic irony
When the reader knows more than a particular character
Verbal irony
When a character says one thing but means another such as sarcasm
Paradox
Something that seems unlikely or contradictory at first thought, but is nevertheless true.
Tragic flaw
Weakness in character or judgement that brings tragedy to that character
Fate
Events that have been pre-determined by the gods or god that will occur despite a characters own plans or decisions
Foil
A character who is contrasted with another character
Sililoquy
A speech by a character alone on stage expressing the thoughts of that character
Simile
Comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as”
Metaphor
Comparison of two unlike things without using like or as
