Literary Terms and Devices

Main Idea Definition: What a piece of writing is mostly about

Summary Definition: gives the main idea and important details of a passage

Foreshadow Definition: an author’s use of hints or clues to give a reader an idea of what may happen next

Flashback Definition: a section in a literary piece that interrupts the sequence of events in order to relate an earlier incident or set of events

Point of View Definition: The manner in which a story is narrated and who it is that tells the story

Genre Definition: A classification of literature such as: horror, fiction, drama, sci-fi, romance, action and adventure, mystery or comedy

Conflict Definition: a problem or struggle between a character and an outside force: Character vs. Character Character vs. Self Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society/Group Character vs. Fate Character vs. Machine

Theme Definition: a central message, idea, or concern that is expressed in a literary work

Setting Definition: the time and location of the events described in a literary work

Plot Definition: the sequence of events in a literary work

Plot Diagram

Simile Definition: a comparison between two things, using “like” or “as” Example: Cute as a kitten

Metaphor Example: The classroom was a zoo. Definition: a figure of speech in which something is described as if it were something else; a comparison made without using "like" or "as" Example: The classroom was a zoo.

Oxymoron Example: Clearly confused or pretty ugly Definition: the close placement of words having opposite or near opposite meanings in order to create a unique description Example: Clearly confused or pretty ugly

Onomatopoeia Example: Whoosh! Definition: a word or phrase that imitates a sound Example: Whoosh!

Personification Example:The waffle jumped up out of the toaster. Definition: a type of figurative language in which a non-human subject is given human characteristics Example:The waffle jumped up out of the toaster.

Hyperbole Definition: use of extreme exaggeration Example: I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

Idiom Definition: a saying that can not be literally translated Example: The ball is in your court. (You make the decision.)

Analogy Example: Moon is to night as sun is to day Definition: a comparison that shows a relationship between two things Example: Moon is to night as sun is to day

Irony Definition: a statement meaning the opposite of what is literally stated Example: A tow truck breaking down.

Sarcasm Example: Earth is full. Go home. Definition: an expression that is personal, jeering, and intended to hurt Example: Earth is full. Go home.

Example: Cap or Rain in Schooled. Character Definition: a person or other creature in a story Example: Cap or Rain in Schooled.

Narrator Example: Bethany from Double Identity Definition: the person who is telling the story Example: Bethany from Double Identity

Tone Definition: the attitude of an author toward the subject that he/she is writing about Example: If you were in a restaurant, how does the waiter treat you?

Mood Definition: the atmosphere or feeling an author creates within the piece of writing Example: If you were in a restaurant, what is the environment like? Is it calm? Fancy? Is music playing?

Connotation Definition: the extra sense that the word implies Example: snake meaning someone that can't be trusted

Denotation Definition: the dictionary definition of the word Example: snake meaning a reptile

Allusion Example: He's such a Romeo, always around girls! Definition: a reference to a well known work of literature, art, music, etc. Example: He's such a Romeo, always around girls! (Romeo and Juliet = Shakespeare)

Alliteration Example: Crawl like a creepy crawly caterpillar Definition: the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words Example: Crawl like a creepy crawly caterpillar

Repetition Definition: creating a "special effect" by repeating a sound or word Example: Do you like green eggs and ham? I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them Sam I am.

Suspense Example: Imagine the Jaws theme music. Definition: a feeling of uncertainty or dread about what will happen next Example: Imagine the Jaws theme music.

Pun Definition: a humorous way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested Example: I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Rhyme Example: See you later alligator Definition: a repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs Example: See you later alligator

Symbolism Definition: the use of one thing to stand for or represent another Example: Hearts = Love or the color white = peace or surrender

Imagery Example: The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet Definition: the use of vivid description to create a picture in the reader's mind Think: the five senses Example: The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet