Literary Device/element Flashcards
Analogy
compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one.
serves the more practical end of explaining a thought process or a line of reasoning or the abstract in terms of the concrete
Allusion
a short, informal reference to a famous person or event:
please the reader by reminding him of a pertinent story or figure with which he is familiar, thus helping (like analogy) to explain something difficult.
Allegory
refers to a work in which almost all of the characters are intended as symbols.
Ambiguity
a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways : an ambiguous word or expression
Atmosphere (mood)
the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.
feeling that can refer to the emotional state of mind of a person/character or the atmosphere of a story.
Epiphany
“Aha” moment the moment when a character is suddenly struck with a life-changing realization which changes the rest of the story.
Exigence
an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak.
Figurative Language
figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful.
Flat Character
two-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work.
Genre
classification of a literary work by its form, content, and style into categories such as poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction.
Hyperbole
deliberately exaggerates conditions for emphasis or effect.
Imagery
vivid language designed to appeal to these senses.
Irony
Verbal Irony: The use of words to mean something different than what they appear to mean
Situational Irony:The difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens
Dramatic Irony : When the audience is more aware of what is happening than a character
Metaphor
is a common figure of speech that makes a comparison by directly relating one thing to another unrelated thing.
Motif
series of reoccurring details that have symbolic importance in the story.
Narrative
Narrative is the telling of related events in a cohesive format that centers around a central theme or idea.
Paradox
statement that appears at first to be contradictory, but upon reflection then makes sense.
allows readers to understand concepts in a different and even non-traditional way.
Personification
metaphorically represents an animal or inanimate object as having human attributes–attributes of form, character, feelings, behavior, and so on.
Plot
sequence of events that make up a story, whether it’s told, written, filmed, or sung. The plot is the story, and more specifically, how the story develops, unfolds, and moves in time.
Exposition, Rising, climax, falling, resolution
Point of view
what the character or narrator telling the story can see (his or her perspective).
Prose
verbal or written language that follows the natural flow of speech.
Round Character
are complex and multifaceted. There’s more to them than what appears on the surface because they have layered personalities and multifaceted backgrounds, desires, and motivations. These characters are authentically complicated and flawed, like real people, thus making stories interesting and believable.
Setting
time and place (or when and where) of the story. I
Simile
word or phrase that compares two unlike things using “as” or “like”
