Literary Elements and Devices (Basic Definitions)

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What is the plot of a story?

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The plot refers to the main events that take place in the story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and conclusion.

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What is a genre in literature?

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A genre is a category of literature identified by form, content, and style.

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What are the types of conflict in literature?

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The types of conflict include Person vs. Self, Person vs. Person, Person vs. Society, and Person vs. Nature.

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What is a flashback?

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A flashback is the insertion of an earlier event into the normal chronological order of a story.

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What is irony in literature?

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Irony occurs when something is said (verbal), or something happens (situational or dramatic) that is opposite of what was normally expected.

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What is the theme of a story?

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The theme is the central idea or underlying message of a story.

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What is setting in literature?

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The setting refers to the time and place in which the story occurs.

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What is foreshadowing?

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Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

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What is mood in literature?

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Mood is the emotional atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.

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What is imagery?

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Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a visual representation in the reader's mind.