Literary Devices and Figurative Language Flashcards
Idiom
An expression that can not be understood based on its literal meaning, but is clear to those who are familiar with the language of its origin.
Irony
What results when the actual outcome differs from what is expected.
Verbal Irony
__________ Irony is the contrast or difference between what is said and what is meant.
Situational Irony
____________ Irony is the contrast between what the characters believe is going to happen and what really does happen.
Dramatic Irony
_____________ irony is created when the audience knows something that one or more of the characters in the story do not. This usually creates anticipation in the audience, as they do not know if or when the character is going to discover when they already know.
Monolauge
A lengthy speech that one actor gives, that is addressed to other characters on stage and not just the audience.
Rhyme
Similar sounds between the ends of two words
Soliloquy
A speech an actor gives when they are alone, as though talking to himself or herself, that often reveal their innermost thoughts or feelings.
Theme
The main idea of a piece of literature
Allusion
A direct or indirect reference to a significant person, event, time or work of literature.
Hyperbole
A figure of speech which uses exaggeration to provide strong emotion, create humor or make a point
Imagery
The use of figurative language to paint a sensory picture for the reader so that they may picture it as if they were watching a movie
Metaphor
Compares seemingly dissimilar things or ideas to point out the similarities without using like or as.
Oxymoron
Combines two words of contrasting meanings to convey a single thought or idea.
Paradox
A statement that might seem to contradict itself but is nevertheless true; for example, “less is more.”
Personification
Something that is not person is spoken of as if it were human.
Setting
A story’s time, place, and background
Characters
The people (sometimes animals or other beings) who take part in the action of a piece of literature
Round Characters
Have many personality traits, and are well developed like a real person.
Flat Characters
Are one dimensional and underdeveloped. They are there to propel the plot or sometimes to provide comic relief.
Character Foil
A character who has qualities that are in sharp contrast to another character, thus emphasizing the traits of each.
Protagonist
The main character in a piece of literature
Antagonist
The person or force opposing the main character
Aside
Words spoken by an actor that is mean to be heard only by the audience
Conflict
The struggle between opposing forces or characters
Foreshadowing
Events which hint of things to come
Pun
Plays on the multiple meanings of words in order to make a joke.
Simile
A direct comparison of unlike things using like or as.
