Transcript LITERARY DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES

Definitions for Review Table
plot
exposition
rising action
climax
falling action
denouement
simile
metaphor
analogy
personification
onomatopoeia
dead metaphor
implied metaphor
mixed metaphor
extended metaphor

PLOT - Series of events that make up a
story.
PLOT - Series of events that make up a
story.
 EXPOSITION - Background information
to a story; introduces characters and
setting

PLOT - Series of events that make up a
story.
 EXPOSITION - Background information
to a story; introduces characters and
setting
 RISING ACTION - The events of a plot
that lead up to the climax; builds
suspense

PLOT - Series of events that make up a
story.
 EXPOSITION - Background information
to a story; introduces characters and
setting
 RISING ACTION - The events of a plot
that lead up to the climax; builds
suspense
 CLIMAX - The highest, most intense
point of conflict in a story






PLOT - Series of events that make up a
story.
EXPOSITION - Background information to
a story; introduces characters and setting
RISING ACTION - The events of a plot that
lead up to the climax; builds suspense
CLIMAX - The highest, most intense point
of conflict in a story
FALLING ACTION - The events of a
dramatic or narrative plot following the
conflict
 PLOT -
Series of events that make up a
story.
 EXPOSITION - Background information to
a story; introduces characters and setting
 RISING ACTION - The events of a plot that
lead up to the climax; builds suspense
 CLIMAX - The highest, most intense point
of conflict in a story
 FALLING ACTION - The events of a
dramatic or narrative plot following the
conflict
 DENOUEMENT - Resolution of the plot

SIMILE - Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
SIMILE - Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
 METAPHOR - Comparing two unlike
things

SIMILE - Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
 METAPHOR - Comparing two unlike
things
 ANALOGY - Resembling relations;
comparing groups to show relationships

SIMILE - Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
 METAPHOR - Comparing two unlike
things
 ANALOGY - Resembling relations;
comparing groups to show relationships
 PERSONIFICATION - Giving human
qualities or characteristics to nonliving
things

 SIMILE
- Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
 METAPHOR - Comparing two unlike
things
 ANALOGY - Resembling relations;
comparing groups to show relationships
 PERSONIFICATION - Giving human
qualities or characteristics to nonliving
things
 ONOMOTOPOEIA - Use of a word
whose sound often imitates its meaning

DEAD METAPHOR - An overused
metaphor that has gained a new
meaning
DEAD METAPHOR - An overused
metaphor that has gained a new
meaning
 IMPLIED METAPHOR - A more subtle
use of a metaphor

DEAD METAPHOR - An overused
metaphor that has gained a new
meaning
 IMPLIED METAPHOR - A more subtle
use of a metaphor
 MIXED METAPHOR - Two or more
metaphors used together that appear
illogical

 DEAD
METAPHOR - An overused
metaphor that has gained a new
meaning
 IMPLIED METAPHOR - A more subtle
use of a metaphor
 MIXED METAPHOR - Two or more
metaphors used together that appear
illogical
 EXTENDED METAPHOR - Metaphor
that continues throughout the entire
text
anachronism
allusion
protagonist
antagonist
foil
flat character
round character
static character
dynamic character
symbolism
imagery
flashback
foreshadow
theme
tone
mood

ANACHRONISM - Something that is not
in its correct historical time period
ANACHRONISM - Something that is not
in its correct historical time period
 ALLUSION - An implied or direct
reference to another text, person, thing,
or event

ANACHRONISM - Something that is not
in its correct historical time period
 ALLUSION - An implied or direct
reference to another text, person, thing,
or event
 PROTAGONIST - Main character of a
story

ANACHRONISM - Something that is not
in its correct historical time period
 ALLUSION - An implied or direct
reference to another text, person, thing,
or event
 PROTAGONIST - Main character of a
story
 ANTAGONIST - The character who
opposes the main character

 ANACHRONISM
- Something that is
not in its correct historical time period
 ALLUSION - An implied or direct
reference to another text, person, thing,
or event
 PROTAGONIST - Main character of a
story
 ANTAGONIST - The character who
opposes the main character
 FOIL - Character who contrasts
protagonist to enhance qualities

FLAT CHARACTER - A one-dimensional
character
FLAT CHARACTER - A one-dimensional
character
 ROUND CHARACTER - A fully
developed character

FLAT CHARACTER - A one-dimensional
character
 ROUND CHARACTER - A fully
developed character
 STATIC CHARACTER - A character that
stays the same throughout the story

 FLAT
CHARACTER - A onedimensional character
 ROUND CHARACTER - A fully
developed character
 STATIC CHARACTER - A character
who stays the same throughout the
story
 DYNAMIC CHARACTER – Character
who changes permanently throughout
the story

SYMBOLISM - Representations of
things to others by means of symbols
SYMBOLISM - Representations of
things to others by means of symbols
 IMAGERY - Descriptive text; creating
mental images for the reader

SYMBOLISM - Representations of
things to others by means of symbols
 IMAGERY - Descriptive text; creating
mental images for the reader
 FLASHBACK - When the text refers
back to previous events

 SYMBOLISM
- Representations of
things to others by means of
symbols
 IMAGERY - Descriptive text;
creating mental images for the
reader
 FLASHBACK - When the text
refers back to previous events
 FORESHADOW - To give a hint to
what will happen later in the text

THEME - Author’s message to the
reader; underlying meaning of a story
THEME - Author’s message to the
reader; underlying meaning of a story
 TONE - Attitude of the writer toward a
subject

- Author’s message to the
reader; underlying meaning of a
story
 TONE - Attitude of the writer
toward a subject
 MOOD - Feeling the reader gets
from a story
 THEME
allegory
internal conflict
external conflict
denotation
connotation
parallelism
alliteration
parody
satire
irony
situational irony
dramatic irony
verbal irony
hyperbole
understatement

ALLEGORY - Symbolic representations
of abstract or spiritual ideas
ALLEGORY - Symbolic representations
of abstract or spiritual ideas
 INTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict within
a character; man vs. self

ALLEGORY - Symbolic representations
of abstract or spiritual ideas
 INTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict within
a character; man vs. self
 EXTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict
outside of a character; man vs. man,
man vs. society, man vs. nature, etc.

ALLEGORY - Symbolic representations
of abstract or spiritual ideas
 INTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict within
a character; man vs. self
 EXTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict
outside of a character; man vs. man,
man vs. society, man vs. nature, etc.
 DENOTATION - Basic dictionary
definition of a word

 ALLEGORY -
Symbolic representations of
abstract or spiritual ideas
 INTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict within a
character; man vs. self
 EXTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict outside
of a character; man vs. man, man vs.
society, man vs. nature, etc.
 DENOTATION - Basic dictionary definition
of a word
 CONNOTATION - The implied meaning or
attributes given to a word

PARALLELISM - The use of identical
phrases, clauses, and structures within
a sentence
PARALLELISM - The use of identical
phrases, clauses, and structures within
a sentence
 ALLITERATION - Repetition of same
sounds at the beginning of words

PARALLELISM - The use of identical
phrases, clauses, and structures within
a sentence
 ALLITERATION - Repetition of same
sounds at the beginning of words
 PARODY - Humorous imitations of a
piece of text

 PARALLELISM
- The use of identical
phrases, clauses, and structures
within a sentence
 ALLITERATION - Repetition of same
sounds at the beginning of words
 PARODY - Humorous imitations of a
piece of text
 SATIRE - A text that mocks social
conventions; ridicules serious
situations

IRONY - Contrast between expectations
and reality
IRONY - Contrast between expectations
and reality
 SITUATIONAL IRONY - Expecting one
thing to happen but something entirely
different taking place

IRONY - Contrast between expectations
and reality
 SITUATIONAL IRONY - Expecting one
thing to happen but something entirely
different taking place
 DRAMATIC IRONY - Contrast between
what the character knows and what the
reader knows

 IRONY
- Contrast between
expectations and reality
 SITUATIONAL IRONY - Expecting one
thing to happen but something entirely
different taking place
 DRAMATIC IRONY - Contrast
between what the character knows
and what the reader knows
 VERBAL IRONY - When someone
says something but means another
(often called “sarcasm”)

HYPERBOLE - Extreme exaggeration
HYPERBOLE
- Extreme
exaggeration
UNDERSTATEMENT Statement less strong or
striking than facts would show
paradox
oxymoron
pun
idiom
assonance
dissonance
dialect
jargon
slang
iambic pentameter
soliloquy
monologue
propaganda
stereotype

PARADOX - A seemingly contradictory
or absurd statement that may suggest
truth
PARADOX - A seemingly contradictory
or absurd statement that may suggest
truth
 OXYMORON - Two seemingly
contradictory words used together for
effect

PARADOX - A seemingly contradictory
or absurd statement that may suggest
truth
 OXYMORON - Two seemingly
contradictory words used together for
effect
 PUN - Humorous use of words; a play
on words

 PARADOX
- A seemingly
contradictory or absurd statement that
may suggest truth
 OXYMORON - Two seemingly
contradictory words used together for
effect
 PUN - Humorous use of words; a play
on words
 IDIOM - Expressions; meaning of
expression is not true to words

ASSONANCE - Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
ASSONANCE - Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
 DISSONANCE - Harsh, disagreeable
sounds; discord

ASSONANCE - Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
 DISSONANCE - Harsh, disagreeable
sounds; discord
 DIALECT - A provincial, rural, or socially
distinct variety of language

ASSONANCE - Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
 DISSONANCE - Harsh, disagreeable
sounds; discord
 DIALECT - A provincial, rural, or socially
distinct variety of language
 JARGON - “jibberish”; words associated
with a specific subject or profession

 ASSONANCE
- Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
 DISSONANCE - Harsh, disagreeable
sounds; discord
 DIALECT - A provincial, rural, or
socially distinct variety of language
 JARGON - “jibberish”; words
associated with a specific subject or
profession
 SLANG - Informal language

IAMBIC PENTAMETER - Verse
consisting of 5 meters alternating
stressed and unstressed syllables
IAMBIC PENTAMETER - Verse
consisting of 5 meters alternating
stressed and unstressed syllables
 SOLILOQUY - Speaking to oneself
oblivious to people hearing; reveals
inner thoughts

 IAMBIC
PENTAMETER - Verse
consisting of 5 meters alternating
stressed and unstressed syllables
 SOLILOQUY - Speaking to
oneself oblivious to people
hearing; reveals inner thoughts
 MONOLOGUE - An extended
period of time in which one
character speaks

PROPAGANDA - The persuasion of
others to buy a product, believe
something, etc.
PROPAGANDA - The persuasion of
others to buy a product, believe
something, etc.
 STEREOTYPE - Simple and often
inaccurate categorizing of a group of
people

 PROPAGANDA
- The persuasion
of others to buy a product, believe
something, etc.
 STEREOTYPE - Simple and often
inaccurate categorizing of a group
of people
 BIAS – having a pre-existing
preference for something (onesided)
ALL
DEFINITIONS
15 SLIDES
 PLOT -
Series of events that make up a
story.
 EXPOSITION - Background information to
a story; introduces characters and setting
 RISING ACTION - The events of a plot that
lead up to the climax; builds suspense
 CLIMAX - The highest, most intense point
of conflict in a story
 FALLING ACTION - The events of a
dramatic or narrative plot following the
conflict
 DENOUEMENT - Resolution of the plot
 SIMILE
- Comparing two unlike things
using “like” or “as”
 METAPHOR - Comparing two unlike
things
 ANALOGY - Resembling relations;
comparing groups to show relationships
 PERSONIFICATION - Giving human
qualities or characteristics to nonliving
things
 ONOMOTOPOEIA - Use of a word
whose sound often imitates its meaning
 DEAD
METAPHOR - An overused
metaphor that has gained a new
meaning
 IMPLIED METAPHOR - A more subtle
use of a metaphor
 MIXED METAPHOR - Two or more
metaphors used together that appear
illogical
 EXTENDED METAPHOR - Metaphor
that continues throughout the entire
text
 ANACHRONISM
- Something that is
not in its correct historical time period
 ALLUSION - An implied or direct
reference to another text, person, thing,
or event
 PROTAGONIST - Main character of a
story
 ANTAGONIST - The character who
opposes the main character
 FOIL - Character who contrasts
protagonist to enhance qualities
 FLAT
CHARACTER - A onedimensional character
 ROUND CHARACTER - A fully
developed character
 STATIC CHARACTER - A character
who stays the same throughout the
story
 DYNAMIC CHARACTER – Character
who changes permanently throughout
the story
 SYMBOLISM
- Representations of
things to others by means of
symbols
 IMAGERY - Descriptive text;
creating mental images for the
reader
 FLASHBACK - When the text
refers back to previous events
 FORESHADOW - To give a hint to
what will happen later in the text
- Author’s message to the
reader; underlying meaning of a
story
 TONE - Attitude of the writer
toward a subject
 MOOD - Feeling the reader gets
from a story
 THEME
 ALLEGORY -
Symbolic representations of
abstract or spiritual ideas
 INTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict within a
character; man vs. self
 EXTERNAL CONFLICT - Conflict outside
of a character; man vs. man, man vs.
society, man vs. nature, etc.
 DENOTATION - Basic dictionary definition
of a word
 CONNOTATION - The implied meaning or
attributes given to a word
 PARALLELISM
- The use of identical
phrases, clauses, and structures
within a sentence
 ALLITERATION - Repetition of same
sounds at the beginning of words
 PARODY - Humorous imitations of a
piece of text
 SATIRE - A text that mocks social
conventions; ridicules serious
situations
 IRONY
- Contrast between
expectations and reality
 SITUATIONAL IRONY - Expecting one
thing to happen but something entirely
different taking place
 DRAMATIC IRONY - Contrast
between what the character knows
and what the reader knows
 VERBAL IRONY - When someone
says something but means another
(often called “sarcasm”)
HYPERBOLE
- Extreme
exaggeration
UNDERSTATEMENT Statement less strong or
striking than facts would show
 PARADOX
- A seemingly
contradictory or absurd statement that
may suggest truth
 OXYMORON - Two seemingly
contradictory words used together for
effect
 PUN - Humorous use of words; a play
on words
 IDIOM - Expressions; meaning of
expression is not true to words
 ASSONANCE
- Resemblance of
sounds; vowel rhyme
 DISSONANCE - Harsh, disagreeable
sounds; discord
 DIALECT - A provincial, rural, or
socially distinct variety of language
 JARGON - “jibberish”; words
associated with a specific subject or
profession
 SLANG - Informal language
 IAMBIC
PENTAMETER - Verse
consisting of 5 meters alternating
stressed and unstressed syllables
 SOLILOQUY - Speaking to
oneself oblivious to people
hearing; reveals inner thoughts
 MONOLOGUE - An extended
period of time in which one
character speaks
 PROPAGANDA
- The persuasion
of others to buy a product, believe
something, etc.
 STEREOTYPE - Simple and often
inaccurate categorizing of a group
of people
 BIAS – having a pre-existing
preference for something (onesided)