36 Literary Elements

Front

Antagonist

Back

The character opposing the protagonist

Front

Irony

Back

A contrast between what is expected and what actually exist

Front

Tone

Back

The writer's attitude toward his or her subject

Front

Allusion

Back

A reference to a well known person, place, thing, event or literary work

Front

Mood

Back

The feeling created in the reader by a literary work

Front

Sarcasm

Back

An ironic manner of criticizing someone or something

Front

Suspense

Back

A feeling of growing tension or excitement

Front

Flashback

Back

Events that took place at an earlier time

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Clues that suggest events that have not occurred

Front

Understatement

Back

The deliberate downplay of a situation to create humor or special effects