Literary Devices Flashcards
Setting
Refers to both the time and place in which the events of the story take place
Protagonist
The main character of the story
Antagonist
The chief enemy of the protagonist
Conflict
The central source of tension in a story
Verbal Irony
Occurs when a speaker says one thing but means another
Situational Irony
Occurs when the expected outcome does not occur or the opposite happens instead
Dramatic Irony
Occurs when the audience knows something that the character does not
Symbol
Something that stands for more than itself
Climax
The highest point of action in a story
Suspense
Techniques used by the author to keep readers interested in the story and wondering what will happen next
Simile
A direct comparison using like or as
Alliteration
The repetition of the same sounds or similar sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables
Personification
Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects
Tone
Expresses the authors attitude toward his/her subject
Mood
The atmosphere or feeing created by a literary work
Allusion
A brief reference or hint which could refer to historical characters, another text, pop culture, events, or mythology
Metaphor
An indirect comparison between two things
Foreshadow
Hints at future events
Imagery
Visually descriptive or figurative language to appeal to our physical senses
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be take literally
Theme
The overall message or idea in a story
Plot
The main events of a novel presented in an interrelated sequence
Malapropism
The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar sounding one
Point of View
From who the story is being told
