Important Literary Devices in Prose

Question 1

Parallelism

Answer 1

Parallelism refers to the plotting of events that are similarly constructed but altogether separate.

Like a B-plot in a film.

Question 2

Foil Characters

Answer 2

A foil refers to any two characters who are “opposites” of each other.

Question 3

Diction

Answer 3

Diction is the careful selection of words to communicate a message or establish a particular voice or writing style.

Word choice that directs the tone and emotion.

Ex. The scrawny demon looked grotesque, it made me gag to look at him.

Question 4

Mood

Answer 4

The mood of a story or passage refers to the overall emotional tone it invokes.

An extended form of diction.

Question 5

Foreshadowing

Answer 5

A foreshadow refers to any time the writer hints towards later events in the story.

Question 6

In media res

Answer 6

In Media Res refers to writing a story starting from the middle.

The storytelling bounces between flashback and present day.

Question 7

Dramatic Irony

Answer 7

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience understands more about the situation than the story’s characters do.

Question 8

Vignette

Answer 8

A vignette is a passage of prose that’s primarily descriptive, rather than plot-driven.

They push the reader into the story’s mood.

Question 9

Flashback

Answer 9

A flashback refers to any interruption in the story where the narration goes back in time.

Question 10

Soliloquy

Answer 10

A soliloquy is a long speech with no audience in the story.

Synonymous with monologues, but brief and poetic