Literary Device Flashcards
Suspense
The excitement or tension that the reader feels as they wait to find out how a story ends or a conflict is resolved.
Conflict
A struggle between two opposing forces
EXTERNAL conflict
A character pitted against an outside force such as nature
PHYSICAL conflict
character pitted against another character
INTERNAL conflict
A character pitted against themselves
Connotation
The emotional and imaginative association of a word. Brings emotion to the reader
Denotation
The strict dictionary definition of a word
Characterization
Highlights and explains an individual within a text. The reader must examine: (1) speech, (2) thoughts, (3) emotions, (4) actions, (5) looks/appearance of the character
Diction
The author’s writing style determined by the authors word choice; adding to the tone of the story
FORMAL diction
ex. Press conference, news articles, biography
INFORMAL diction
ex. Texting friends, journal entry
PLAIN diction
ex. Simples and clear; unambiguous
POETIC diction
ex. Imaginative, romantic
Motif
A RECURRING element in a literary work meaning the idea or image occurring again and again. Ex. Repeating images enhance/bring attention to the idea or stories motif
Theme
Underlying message about life or human nature that the writer wants the reader to understand. Not stated directly!
