Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
Literary Device Notes (short stories)
73
b
Y
X
2
g
m
1
p
F
Literary Devices
E
Personification
Giving human characteristics to non-human entities
ex: That cookie was calling my name!
Round Character
This is a character who we know much about.
This is usually a main character
Flat Character
This is a character who we do not know much about.
This is usually a subordinate character.
Dynamic Character
This is a character who changes throughout the story.
This is usually seen in main/protagonists characters.
Static Character
This is a character who does not change throughout the story.
This is usually seen in antagonists/subordinate characters.
Foil Character
These are characters who are usually opposite of each other and/or bring the other character's qualities into perspective.
Ex: Batman and the Joker
Protagonist
The character/force the audience follows throughout the story
Antagonist
The character/force who causes problems for the protagonist throughout the story.
Theme
The message of the story. This is what we should learn
D
Symbolism
Symbolism
Something/someone used to represent something larger.
Ex: Red roses usually mean love.
Foreshadowing
A hint or clue as to what will/might happen later in the story.
Allusion
This is a reference to another piece of literature, art, history (places, events, people).
Characterization
This is a general term used for the discription of characters
Indirect Characterization
This is a description of characters; however, the discription is meant to be inferred (it's not on the page).
Direct Characterization
This is a description of characters found directly on the page.
C
The Irony!
Dramatic Irony
When we know more about what is going on in in the story than one or more characters do.
Tragic Irony
When we know something bad will happen to one or more characters in the story (but they don't know they're in "danger").
Situational Irony
When we were expecting one outcome, and something different happens instead. The SITUATION was unexpected.
Coincidence
This is confused for irony all the time. A coincidence is just a matter of luck. You were not expecting any kind of outcome.
Verbal Irony
Something is said, but the opposite is meant
Ex: It's raining outside and someone says, "It's SUCH a WONDERFUL day outside!"
Sarcasm
Something is said, but another thing is meant; however, this is used to cause harm (hurt feelings).
B
Hyperbole
An extreme exaggeration to make a point.
ex: "If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times!"
Simile
A comparison of 2 unlike things using "like" or "as"
ex: He's as clever as a fox.
Metaphor
A comparision of 2 unlike things without using "like" or "as"
ex: Her room is a pig-sty
Imagery
Writing that appeals to one or more of your senses.
Diction
Specific word choice.
Think: DICTIONary
Mood
This is writing that evokes certain feelings/vibes to the reader through diction and descriptions
Tone
This is the attitude of the writer towards the subject or audience and is conveyed through diction/viewpoints to the reader.
Unreliable Narrator
This is a narrator whose credibility has been seriously compromised.
ex: They lied to themselves, to others, to the audience, etc...
Inference
When you take your own experiences to make conclusions about what you read.
Freytag's Pyramid
A
Freytag's Pyramid is the plot line/story arc!
Freytag's Pyramid is the plot line/story arc!
4
5
6
3
1
2
1= Exposition
The exposition is the beginning of the whole story. This is where our characters and setting are introduced.
2= Conflict Introduced
This is where the MAIN problem is introduced to the story.
3=Rising Action
This is where the problem builds. The story is starting to become more and more intense.
4= Climax
This is the turning point of the story. The problem "explodes," and the story starts to change.
5= Falling Action
This is where things start to settle down in the story. The problem is STARTING to be solved/wrapped up.
6= Resolution/ Denouement
This is the ending of the story. This is where the problem is permanently ended (closed ending), or there's a chance the problem COULD arise again (open ending).
Conflict!
Conflict!
There are MANY conflicts that could be used in stories, but there are usually 5 MAIN conflicts that are used.
Man vs Man
This is where 2+ characters are against each other
Man vs Self
This is where a character is struggling within themselves (either for moral/emotional reasons).
Man vs Nature
This is where a character is against nature (the wilderness/animals/weather).
Man vs Society
This is where a character and a group/town are against each other
Man vs Supernatural
This is where a character is against a force "not of this world"
ex: fate, ghosts, etc...
G
Symbolism in the Seasons
I like to think of how a tree would look during each season to remember the symbolsim!
Spring
Spring represents a new life/new beginning
Summer
Summer represents life in its fullest.
Autumn
Autumn represents dyING or decline
Winter
Winter represents death
Heat/Hot
Symbolizes rising tension, tempers building. Foreshadows something violent will happen.
Red
Symbolizes hostility, anger, violence
White
Symbolizes purity, goodness, innocence
Black
Symbolizes evil, death, destruction, bad
Alliteration
The same SOUND at the start of close together words (3 or more)
ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
H
Pun
Pun
A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.
Ex: You've got to be kitten me right meow!