Literary Device Study Guide

Question 1

Symbolism

Answer 1

when the writer uses symbols, whether they are words, people, marks, locations, or abstract ideas to represent something beyond the literal meaning

Question 2

[Adjective] Tone

Answer 2

the attitude that the character, narrator, or author takes towards a certain topic

It is necessary to include an adjective when discussing tone because you are describing the attitude (not needed in the summative)

Question 3

[Adjective] Diction

Answer 3

the word choice made by a writer to convey an idea, point of view, and/or tell a story in an effective way.

It is necessary to include an adjective when discussing diction because you are describing the way the writer wants to convey their idea, point of view, or story (not needed in the summative)

Question 4

Simile

Answer 4

A comparison using like or as

Question 5

Metaphor

Answer 5

A comparison without using like or as

Question 6

Allusion

Answer 6

Generally brief but purposeful references, within a literary text, to a person, place, event, or to another work of literature.

Question 7

Allegory

Answer 7

A story that uses symbols to convey a hidden or ulterior meaning, typically a moral or politican one

Question 8

Motif

Answer 8

An object, image, sound, or phrase that is repeated throughout a story to point toward the story’s larger theme

different than symbolism because symbols represent something it is not

^^not needed in the summative

Question 9

Juxtaposition

Answer 9

The author places two distinctly dissimilar things side by side to bring out their differences

Question 10

Paradox

Answer 10

A statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time

Question 11

Dramatic irony

Answer 11

when the audience knows something the characters do not

Question 12

Situational Irony

Answer 12

A striking reversal of what is expected or intended

Question 13

Verbal Irony

Answer 13

Sarcasm

Question 14

Alliteration

Answer 14

When two or more words in a phrase or line share the beginning consonant sound

Question 15

Repitition

Answer 15

The use of the same word or phrase multiple times

Question 16

Anaphora

Answer 16

When there is a repitition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or phrases

e.g. - The MLK speech “I have a dream”

Question 17

Colloquialism

Answer 17

Words or expressions that are commonplace within a specific language, geographic region, or historical era

Authors use colloquialism to give personality and authenticity to their characters (not needed in the summative)

Question 18

First person POV

Answer 18

when the narrator is the person telling the story only from their point of view

Key pronouns are I, me, my

When a story is told from an individual point of view describing something that is happening/happened to them

Question 19

Third Person Limited POV

Answer 19

The narrator only has access to one other character’s thoughts, but the narrator is also aware of what is going on outside of that character

Key pronounds are they, them, their, he, she, it, his, hers, theirs

Unlike first person, the reader is not trapped in one character’s head

Question 20

Third Person Omniscient

Answer 20

the story is told from the narrator’s perspective who knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters

Key pronouns are they, them, their, he, she, it, his, hers, theirs

another word for “all-knowing”