Literary Devices Flashcards
Verbal Irony
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.
Situational irony
An occasion in which the outcome is significantly different from what was expected or considered appropriate.
Ex: he yelled “ be quiet!”
Dramatic Irony
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
Irony
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
Exposition
A statement or type of composition intended to give information about (or an explanation of) an issue, subject, method, or idea
Subplot
a secondary plot or storyline that coexists with the main story
Rising action
The part of the plot where obstacles stand in the way of the protagonist achieving his goal
Climax
When the conflict of the plot is resolved; when the story changes for better or worse
Plot
a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story
Setting
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.
Denouement
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
Stated theme
The author states his main idea to the reader
Implied Theme
the reader must infer the message usually studying the main character and the lesson he\she learns
Universal theme
a theme common in many books and is understood by a wide audience
Ex: fear of failure, identity crisis
Resolution
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
Mood
the feeling the reader gets from a story; shown through setting and atmosphere
Ex: tense, violent, suspenseful
Tone
the AUTHOR’S attitude towards the audience, the subject, or the character; shown through talking and author’s word choice
Ex: amused, quizzical, informal
Theme
a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly
Ex: love, war
Repetition
a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer
Italicized Words
popularly used to call attention to certain words in a block of text
Short-Choppy Sentences
Too many short simple sentences can make your writing appear unsophisticated and your ideas seem disconnected.
Omniscient
knowing everything
Omnipresent
present everywhere at the same time.
Point of View
the way the author allows you to “see” and “hear” what’s going on
Ex:1st, 2nd, & 3rd
1st Person POV
involves the use of either of the two pronouns “I” and “we”.
Ex: I went home. We ate lunch together
3rd Person POV
uses pronouns like “he”, “she”, “it”, “they” or a name.
EX: He and Bob went to the store.
Limited 3rd Person POV
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.
Foreshadowing
writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story
Conflict
struggle between two opposing forces usually a protagonist and an antagonist.
Internal Conflict
psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character
Ex: man vs self
External Conflict
struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force
Ex: man vs. nature, man, society
Flashback
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
