Literary Devices and Figurative Language

Question 1

Idiom

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Irony

Answer 2

What results when the actual outcome differs from what is expected.

Question 3

Verbal Irony

Answer 3

__________ Irony is the contrast or difference between what is said and what is meant.

Question 4

Situational Irony

Answer 4

____________ Irony is the contrast between what the characters believe is going to happen and what really does happen.

Question 5

Dramatic Irony

Answer 5

_____________ 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.

Question 6

Monolauge

Answer 6

A lengthy speech that one actor gives, that is addressed to other characters on stage and not just the audience.

Question 7

Rhyme

Answer 7

Similar sounds between the ends of two words

Question 8

Soliloquy

Answer 8

A speech an actor gives when they are alone, as though talking to himself or herself, that often reveal their innermost thoughts or feelings.

Question 9

Theme

Answer 9

The main idea of a piece of literature

Question 10

Allusion

Answer 10

A direct or indirect reference to a significant person, event, time or work of literature.

Question 11

Hyperbole

Answer 11

A figure of speech which uses exaggeration to provide strong emotion, create humor or make a point

Question 12

Imagery

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Metaphor

Answer 13

Compares seemingly dissimilar things or ideas to point out the similarities without using like or as.

Question 14

Oxymoron

Answer 14

Combines two words of contrasting meanings to convey a single thought or idea.

Question 15

Paradox

Answer 15

A statement that might seem to contradict itself but is nevertheless true; for example, “less is more.”

Question 16

Personification

Answer 16

Something that is not person is spoken of as if it were human.

Question 17

Setting

Answer 17

A story’s time, place, and background

Question 18

Characters

Answer 18

The people (sometimes animals or other beings) who take part in the action of a piece of literature

Question 19

Round Characters

Answer 19

Have many personality traits, and are well developed like a real person.

Question 20

Flat Characters

Answer 20

Are one dimensional and underdeveloped. They are there to propel the plot or sometimes to provide comic relief.

Question 21

Character Foil

Answer 21

A character who has qualities that are in sharp contrast to another character, thus emphasizing the traits of each.

Question 22

Protagonist

Answer 22

The main character in a piece of literature

Question 23

Antagonist

Answer 23

The person or force opposing the main character

Question 24

Aside

Answer 24

Words spoken by an actor that is mean to be heard only by the audience

Question 25

Conflict

Answer 25

The struggle between opposing forces or characters

Question 26

Foreshadowing

Answer 26

Events which hint of things to come

Question 27

Pun

Answer 27

Plays on the multiple meanings of words in order to make a joke.

Question 28

Simile

Answer 28

A direct comparison of unlike things using like or as.