Literary Devices 1
What is repetition?
Instance in which a word, phrase or structure is stated several times in order to emphasize a particular idea and/or build rhythm
What is an antagonist?
Usually the principal character or force in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama
What is a protagonist?
The main character/hero/heroine in a narrative or drama
Name that Device-Language and sensory details that help the reader create a mental picture of the characters, setting, and action
What is imagery?
What is characterization?
The actions, words, nature, appearance or traits of somebody or something
What is diction?
The word choice
Name that Device-spoken or written expressions not meant to be taken literally (e.g. similes, metaphors, personification)
Figurative language
What is conflict?
The struggle between opposing forces that is the basis of a story’s plot
What is the climax?
The turning point or crisis point in a plot
Name that Device-a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using comparative language such as like or as (e.g., “Her eyes are stars.”)
Name that Device-a figure of speech in which an object, animal, or idea is given human characteristics (e.g., “My computer stared at me.”)
Personification
Name that Device-a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated or overstated for emphasis – or humor (e.g., “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”)
Hyperbole
Name that Device-where an event occurs that is unexpected, in the sense that it is somehow the opposite of what might be expected or appropriate (e.g., “The lifeguard drowned.”)
Irony
Name that Device-a person, place, or object that stands for something beyond itself (e.g., the eagle is a bird, but it also is the symbol of American freedom, justice, and liberty)
Symbolism
Name that Device-a figure of speech in which words such as like, as, resembles, and than are used to compare two unlike things (e.g., “She has eyes like stars.”)
Simile
My dog is a pig when it is time for supper.
What is a metaphor.
What is an allusion?
A reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or some other branch of culture (e.g., an unfair match may be referred at as a “David and Goliath” confrontation)
Name that Device-the meanings, associations or emotions a word evokes (e.g., house vs. home vs. dwelling)
Connotation
Name that Device-the use of clues or hints at events that will occur later in the story
Foreshadowing
What is the mood?
The general sense or feeling the text creates for the reader
What is an allegory?
Work of literature in which characters, settings, and events represent other people, events, or concepts (e.g. Animal Farm)
What are the different types of conflict?
Internal-Character vs. self
External-character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. society
What are the different types of irony?
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony
What is a theme?
An arguable statement about the significance/universal truth/message of a piece of literature; a theme is NOT written as a fact, a topic (one word), a suggestion (do this/don’t do that), or an opinion (good/bad, right/wrong)
Name that Device-a recurring important idea or image; it differs from a theme in that it can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, while a theme must be expressed as a complete sentence (e.g., water, weather)
Motif