Stories -- Literary Devices

A culturally-known reference from history, mythology, religion, a piece of history, etc.

• illusion

• anthropomorphism

• conflict

• allusion

Where animals, inanimate objects, or non-human things are portrayed as people, by walking, talking, or being given arms, legs, facial features, human movements

• allusion

• anthropomorphism

• imagery

• idiom

The author directly states a character's traits and personality

• direct characterization

• imagery

• dialogue

• indirect characterization

The problem(s) in the story

• dialogue

• flashback

• imagery

• conflict

The character is revealed through their personality, appearance words, actions, and effect on others

• direct characterization

• imagery

• idiom

• indirect characterization

Characters speak to one another

• foreshadowing

• idiom

• conflict

• dialogue

Interruptions that writers do to insert past events in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative

• foreshadowing

• irony

• flashback

• allusion

Where future events in a story, or perhaps the outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen

• flashback

• foreshadowing

• point of view

• imagery

A common expression that doesn't make sense if you take it literally.

• flashback

• symbol

• tone

• idiom

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

• irony

• point of view

• imagery

• symbol