Basic Story Devices
The Most important or main thing happening in a story.
What is Main Idea?
Bringing a character to life/ Applying Traits to a person, place or thing.
What is Characterization?
Comparing two things using like or as.
What is Simile?
Giving Human-like qualities to nonhuman things.
What is Personification?
A reference to something from history or culture.
What is Allusion?
The Author's Message of the story.
What is Theme?
Directly Telling the audience what traits a character or thing has.
What is Direct Characterization?
Comparing two things without using like or as.
What is Metaphor?
A play on words usually for comedic effect.
What is Pun?
When readers or characters expect something but the opposite happens.
What is Irony?
A Subject to be studied, read or written about.
What is Topic?
Showing the traits of a character without directly stating them to the audience.
What is Indirect Characterization?
Words that describe sounds /
sound-effects.
What is Onomatopoeia?
The act of using people, places, things, or ideas to represent something else.
What is Symbolism?
The main goal the character wants to achieve by the end of the story.
What is Character's Motivation?
A struggle and a clash of interest, opinions, or even principles.
What is Conflict?
A Distinguishing quality or characteristic.
What are Traits?
Using the 5 senses to paint a mental picture for the audience.
What is Imagery?
When the author repeats sounds, words, phrases, or ideas throughout a piece of writing.
What is Repetition?
The past experiences that caused the character to have their goals and traits.
What is Character's Ghost?
Emotional weight and investment of characters and readers.
What is Tension?
A very specific Kind/type of person place or thing,
often a general concept or idea of something.
What is an Archetype?
An obvious Exaggeration or overstatement for emphasis.
What is Hyperbole?
Repeating the same first consonant sound in a sentence.
What is Alliteration?
Something the Character needs to do in order to grow and overcome the obstacles blocking their goal.
What is Character's Need?