Literary Tools
Language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words
Figurative Language
Takes place in a character’s mind
Internal conflict
A feeling the poem gives the reader.
mood
An implied comparison between two unlike things (without using “like” or “as”)
Metaphor
A problem that must be solved: an issue between the protagonist and the antagonist forces. The major conflict forms the basis of the plot. Can be external/ internal
major conflict
The speaker’s attitude toward the subject
Tone/attitude
A long comparison over many lines
Epic simile
the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells the reader or viewer what the character is like
direct characterization
Attributing human qualities or emotions to something that is not human
Personification
“In the middle of things”; all epics begin in medias res AFTER the invocation of the Muse. Begins with action, not background information
In media res
The narrator is a person in the story, telling the story from their own point of view. Look for “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”, and “we” pronouns
1st person point of view
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language
Syntax
The reversal of customary syntax
Inversion
The reason behind a character’s behaviors and actions in a given scene or throughout a story
Character motivation
The use of everyday, conversational language, often incorporating slang, and contractions, as opposed to formal, academic language
Informal Language