Literary Devices

Question 1

Doubtfulness or uncertainty as regards interpretation.

Answer 1

Ambiguity

Question 2

Something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time.

Answer 2

Anachronism

Question 3

A true story that is generally amusing, thought-provoking, strange, humorous etc.

Answer 3

Anecdote

Question 4

Contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, phrases or clauses.

Answer 4

Antithesis

Question 5

The prevailing mood or feeling of a literary work.

Answer 5

Atmosphere

Question 6

The act or process of forming reasons and of drawing conclusions and applying them to a case in discussion. It is also known as a debate.

Answer 6

Argumentation

Question 7

The particular group of readers or viewers that the writer is addressing.

Answer 7

Audience

Question 8

Constructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length and importance. Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special effect as well.

Answer 8

Balance

Question 9

A preference or tendency towards a particular perspective, idea or result, usually when it impairs the ability to be objective or impartial.

Answer 9

Bias

Question 10

A final event or conclusion, usually an unfortunate one.

Answer 10

Catastrophe

Question 11

Two events that are related when one event makes the other occur.

Answer 11

Cause and Effect

Question 12

An expression not used in formal speech, writing or paralinguistics.

Answer 12

Colloquialism

Question 13

The act of conceding or yielding, as a right, a privilege, or a point or fact in an argument.

Answer 13

Concession

Question 14

The suggestive or associative significance of an expression, additional to the explicit literal meaning; implication.

Answer 14

Connotation

Question 15

The associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning.

Answer 15

Connotation/Denotation

Question 16

The specific meaning of, or the object or objects designated by, a word as distinct from what it suggests: distinguished from connotation.

Answer 16

Denotation

Question 17

The effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.

Answer 17

Consequences

Question 18

A statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.

Answer 18

Description

Question 19

A word or phrase that has an acceptable connotation and that in an indirect way expresses what may be upsetting or unpleasant.

Answer 19

Euphemism

Question 20

The act of describing, analyzing, or explaining. It is a detailed statement or explanation primarily in the form of writing or speech intended to convey information and presenting a view or display.

Answer 20

Exposition

Question 21

An act that is brought on by pride and arrogance, usually resulting in pain or suffering.

Answer 21

Hubris

Question 22

Act or process of deriving a logical consequence conclusion from premises.

Answer 22

Inference/Implication

Question 23

An indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad or rude.

Answer 23

Innuendo

Question 24

Special words that are used by a particular group of people in a particular profession and that other people do not understand.

Answer 24

Jargon

Question 25

To put two people or things etc. very close together, especially in order to show how they are different.

Answer 25

Juxtaposition

Question 26

Substituting a correct word for another incorrect one, usually for to make a witty, clever, or comedic statement.

Answer 26

Malapropism

Question 27

Emotional atmosphere created by the characters and setting and by the language chosen to present it.

Answer 27

Mood

Question 28

A subject or theme that appears frequently in a novel or literary work.

Answer 28

Motif

Question 29

A recital of events, usually in chronological order, as the story narrated in a poem or the exposition in a drama.

Answer 29

Narration

Question 30

The person who is telling the story.

Answer 30

Narrative voice

Question 31

Ideas and facts that are probably true.

Answer 31

Objective

Question 32

Conjoining contradictory terms.

Answer 32

Oxymoron

Question 33

A technique where the author uses words, phrases or clauses that are of equal value and function. The similarity between the words (etc.) not only allows for pleasing flow in the work, but also provides a more forceful meaning.

Answer 33

Parallel Structure

Question 34

Express the same message in different words or rewording for the purpose of clarification.

Answer 34

Paraphrase

Question 35

A humorous imitation of literature or of real life events.

Answer 35

Parody

Question 36

A technique where inanimate objects that relate to some aspect of nature, are attributed with human feelings, seem to reflect the emotions of characters, or portray the mood in a story.

Answer 36

Pathetic Fallacy

Question 37

The art of using language as a means to persuade. A technique that an author or speaker uses to evoke an emotional response in the audience.

Answer 37

Rhetoric

Question 38

A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.

Answer 38

Sarcasm

Question 39

The time and place in which the story occurs. The time or place may be either stated or suggested.

Answer 39

Setting

Question 40

Ideas and opinions held by groups or individuals usually with some sort of bias.

Answer 40

Subjective

Question 41

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. It differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic.

Answer 41

Theme

Question 42

An idea the author returns to time and again, becoming one of the most important ideas in the story.

Answer 42

Central Theme

Question 43

The author’s attitude, which can be stated or implied, toward a subject. It can be revealed through punctuation, choice of words and details.

Answer 43

Tone