Literary Devices

Question 0

Verbal Irony

Answer 0

A figure of speech in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express.
Ex: Great answer, Einstein.

Question 1

Situational irony

Answer 1

An occasion in which the outcome is significantly different from what was expected or considered appropriate.
Ex: he yelled “ be quiet!”

Question 2

Dramatic Irony

Answer 2

An occasion in which a character’s words or actions convey a meaning unperceived by the character but understood by the audience.
Ex: a man can’t wait to go home and relax but the audience knows that there is a surprise party there

Question 3

Irony

Answer 3

The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea
Ex: situational, dramatic, verbal irony

Question 4

Exposition

Answer 4

A statement or type of composition intended to give information about (or an explanation of) an issue, subject, method, or idea

Question 5

Subplot

Answer 5

a secondary plot or storyline that coexists with the main story

Question 6

Rising action

Answer 6

The part of the plot where obstacles stand in the way of the protagonist achieving his goal

Question 7

Climax

Answer 7

When the conflict of the plot is resolved; when the story changes for better or worse

Question 8

Plot

Answer 8

a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story

Question 9

Setting

Answer 9

used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events of the story; helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place.

Question 10

Denouement

Answer 10

the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved

Question 11

Stated theme

Answer 11

The author states his main idea to the reader

Question 12

Implied Theme

Answer 12

the reader must infer the message usually studying the main character and the lesson he\she learns

Question 13

Universal theme

Answer 13

a theme common in many books and is understood by a wide audience
Ex: fear of failure, identity crisis

Question 14

Resolution

Answer 14

when the character reach a solution to the predicament or reach a point where they can go no farther in trying to reach a solution and fail

Question 15

Mood

Answer 15

the feeling the reader gets from a story; shown through setting and atmosphere
Ex: tense, violent, suspenseful

Question 16

Tone

Answer 16

the AUTHOR’S attitude towards the audience, the subject, or the character; shown through talking and author’s word choice
Ex: amused, quizzical, informal

Question 17

Theme

Answer 17

a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly
Ex: love, war

Question 18

Repetition

Answer 18

a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer

Question 19

Italicized Words

Answer 19

popularly used to call attention to certain words in a block of text

Question 20

Short-Choppy Sentences

Answer 20

Too many short simple sentences can make your writing appear unsophisticated and your ideas seem disconnected.

Question 21

Omniscient

Answer 21

knowing everything

Question 22

Omnipresent

Answer 22

present everywhere at the same time.

Question 23

Point of View

Answer 23

the way the author allows you to “see” and “hear” what’s going on
Ex:1st, 2nd, & 3rd

Question 24

1st Person POV

Answer 24

involves the use of either of the two pronouns “I” and “we”.

Ex: I went home. We ate lunch together

Question 25

3rd Person POV

Answer 25

uses pronouns like “he”, “she”, “it”, “they” or a name.

EX: He and Bob went to the store.

Question 26

Limited 3rd Person POV

Answer 26

Where all characters are described using pronouns such as ‘they’, ‘he’, and ‘she.’ But, one character is closely followed throughout the story, and it is typically a main character
Ex: He was back to being treated like an outcast.

Question 27

Foreshadowing

Answer 27

writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story

Question 28

Conflict

Answer 28

struggle between two opposing forces usually a protagonist and an antagonist.

Question 29

Internal Conflict

Answer 29

psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character
Ex: man vs self

Question 30

External Conflict

Answer 30

struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force
Ex: man vs. nature, man, society

Question 31

Flashback

Answer 31

interruptions that writers do to insert past events in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative; used to gain insight into a character’s motivation and provide a background to a current conflict