Literary Devices

Question 1

Flash Back

Answer 1

A jump back in time in a story. An actual shift back to an earlier time.

Question 2

Purpose of a flashback

Answer 2

To give background information.

Question 3

How to recognize a flashback in a story

Answer 3

Keywords that show a change in time period, change in verb tense, or white space skipping lines in the story.

Question 4

Oxymoron

Answer 4

Two words used to describe something that seems like they both can’t be true. (Old news, organized mess)

Question 5

Paradox

Answer 5

A statement that seems illogical and seems untrue but you later realize that it is true.

Question 6

How is a paradox similar to a oxymoron?

Answer 6

Oxymoron is a seeming contradiction on the word level and paradox is on the sentence and idea level.

Question 7

Antithesis

Answer 7

A device that uses opposites on a sentence or idea level. (Ex.:“You’re easy on the eyes, hard on the heart.””

Question 8

How is an antithesis similar to antonym?

Answer 8

An Antonym on a sentence level.

Question 9

How is an antithesis similar to paradox?

Answer 9

Paradox is ideas that seem opposite(illogical), Antithesis is ideas that are opposite(logical).

Question 10

Purpose of Antithesis

Answer 10

To create a balance between opposite qualities and give greater insight into the subject.

Question 11

Anachronism

Answer 11

Placing an event, person, item, or verbal expression in the wrong historical period. (Ex.:If a movie about ancient Egypt showed a Pharaoh wearing a watch.)

Question 12

Irony

Answer 12

A contrast between what you think should happen and what actually happens

Question 13

Purpose of Irony

Answer 13

To entertain by creating an unexpected twist
To show a theme about human nature
The theme makes readers think deeply about what a character does or says
(Ex.:A fire station is burning down.)

Question 14

Three types of irony

Answer 14

Situational, Dramatic, Verbal

Question 15

Situational Irony

Answer 15

When the events, plot, or situation turns out differently than you would expect it to.

Question 16

Dramatic Irony

Answer 16

When the audience knows something that the characters don’t know yet.

Question 17

Verbal Irony

Answer 17

Saying something but the opposite is reality.

Question 18

Anaphora Definition

Answer 18

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of clauses, sentences, paragraphs, or stanzas. (Ex.:That’s the point of anaphora. That’s why it’s convincing. That’s why it’s effective. That’s why it’s effective.)

Question 19

Purpose of an Anaphora

Answer 19

To emphasize the ideas that follow the anaphora

Question 20

Allusion

Answer 20

A reference to a person or event that is from another story. A reference to a character or a book title that is not from the text you are reading.

Question 21

Purpose of an Allusion

Answer 21

1. To make connections to something familiar
2. To connect to background knowledge
3. To add meaning or information. To answer the question, “So what?”

Question 22

Aphorism

Answer 22

A short saying that expresses truth about life, living, and being a good person. (Ex.:It’s better to die on your feet than live on your knees.)

Question 23

Aphorism Purpose

Answer 23

Aphorisms are used for advice wisdom and inspirations

Question 24

Colloquialism

Answer 24

Different words and phrases used in certain areas or time periods. Slang, idioms, expressions, jargon. (Ex.:hot dish : casserole)

Question 25

Colloquialism purpose

Answer 25

To make realistic dialogue

Question 26

Euphemism

Answer 26

A kinder, gentler way of saying something that may be rude, gross, or difficult to talk about. (Ex.:Dying, kicking the bucket.)

Question 27

Euphemism purpose

Answer 27

When words develop a negative connotation, they are often replaced with a Euphemism.

Question 28

Epiphany

Answer 28

A character has sudden insight into the reality of something. A light bulb moment. (Ex.:Epiphanies often lead to a change of opinion or events called peripeteia.)

Question 29

Epiphany purpose

Answer 29

Epiphanies often lead to a change of opinion or events called peripeteia.

Question 30

Foreshadowing

Answer 30

A hint about what is going to happen later in the story.

Question 31

Foreshadowing purpose

Answer 31

To build tension; hook the reader.

Question 32

Figurative Language

Answer 32

Writing that makes the reader vividly imagine what is described. Figurative language is not literal–it is embellished!

Question 33

Figurative Language purpose

Answer 33

To create writing that is more creative, effective, and impactful.

Question 34

Peripeteia

Answer 34

The turning point in a drama after which the plot moves steadily to its denouement

Question 35

Dialect

Answer 35

A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region of social group.