Literary devices, techniques and elements

Question 1

are specific, deliberate constructions of
language which an author uses to convey meaning.

Answer 1

Literary techniques

Question 2

is any specific aspect of literature, or a
particular work, which we can recognize, identify, interpret and/or
analyze.

Answer 2

Literary device

Question 3

The repetition of consonant sounds within close
proximity, usually in consecutive words within the same sentence
or line.

Answer 3

ALLITERATION

Question 4

Where animals or inanimate
objects are portrayed in a story as people, such as by
walking, talking, or being given arms, legs and/or facial
features. (This technique is often incorrectly called
personification.)

Answer 4

ANTHROPOMORPHISM:

Question 5

Exaggeration or alteration of
objective facts or reality for the purpose of enhancing
meaning in a fictional context.

Answer 5

CREATIVE LICENSE:

Question 6

Where characters speak to one another; may
often be used to substitute for exposition

Answer 6

DIALOGUE

Question 7

Where the audience or reader is aware of
something important, of which the characters in the story are not
aware.

Answer 7

DRAMATIC IRONY

Question 8

Where an author interrupts a story in order to
explain something, usually to provide important background
information about events, settings, characters, or other elements
of a work to the audience or readers.

Answer 8

EXPOSITION

Question 9

Any use of language where the
intended meaning differs from the actual literal meaning of the
words themselves.

Answer 9

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Question 10

Where future events in a story, or perhaps the
outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen.

Answer 10

FORESHADOWING

Question 11

Language which describes something in detail, using
words to substitute for and create sensory stimulation

Answer 11

IMAGERY

Question 12

The use of specific objects or images to represent
abstract ideas.

Answer 12

SYMBOLISM

Question 13

simply means ‘the quality of resembling
reality.’ A work of art, or any part of a work of art, has
verisimilitude if it seems realistic.

Answer 13

VERISIMILITUDE

Question 14

s a short, descriptive scene. It’s beautifully crafted in
finite detail.

Answer 14

VIGNETTE

Question 15

refers to components of a literary work
(character, setting, plot, theme, frame, exposition,
ending/denouement, motif, titling, narrative point–‐of–‐view).

Answer 15

Literary elements

Question 16

Refers to time periods, geographic locations, cultural contexts,
immediate surroundings, weather, times of day, or times of year
employed in the story.

Answer 16

setting

Question 17

It refers to the attitude the work takes toward the audience and
subject

Answer 17

tone

Question 18

Refers to the point-‐of view from which the story is narrated.

Answer 18

Narrative perspective or point-of-view

Question 19

the person telling the story is also the main
character

Answer 19

First person protagonist

Question 20

the person telling the story is a secondary
character in the story.

Answer 20

First person observer

Question 21

he narrative follows around ONE character primarily and has access to his/her thoughts.

Answer 21

Third person limited

Question 23

has access to MULTIPLE character’s
thoughts and actions.

Answer 23

Third person omniscient

Question 24

describes only the ACTIONS of the characters.

Answer 24

Third person objective

Question 25

Refers to a series of reoccurring details that have symbolic
importance in the story.

Answer 25

motif

Question 26

It refers to a description of something to be seen, hear, smelled,
or touched.

Answer 26

image

Question 27

It refers to how the author describes his/her characters.

Answer 27

characterization

Question 28

The main character in a story. He/she is often a hero but
sometimes is not. He/she can also be the story’s narrator.

Answer 28

protagonist

Question 29

A character who stands in the way of the protagonist’s movement
in the story. Often times, this is a villain but it does not have to be.

Answer 29

antagonist

Question 30

the character changes a lot over the course of the
story, the author has made the character

Answer 30

Dynamic

Question 31

If the character stays pretty much the same, he/she is

Answer 31

static

Question 32

If the character is very complex in his/her motivations and/or actions

Answer 32

round

Question 33

If the character is straightforward in his/her
motivations and/or actions

Answer 33

flat

Question 34

Refers to a broad idea or moral in a story.

Answer 34

theme

Question 35

It refers to a story’s final “untying” or resolution.

Answer 35

Resolution/denouement

Question 36

It refers to the central problems of a text.

Answer 36

conflict