Literary Devices

Hinting at what is to come.

• antagonist

• foreshadowing

• characterization

• imagery

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

When something unexpected happens or is said.

• mood

• motif

• irony

• exposition

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

A recuring feature of a work that develops its theme.

• motif

• climax

• irony

• dialogue

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

A character (or thing) that is the source of conflict in a literary work.

• protagonist

• characterization

• plot

• antagonist

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

The background information given at the beginning

• exposition

• rising action

• resolution

• climax

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

An object, person, or place used to represent something else

• imagery

• symbolism

• theme

• mood

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

The way in which the author develops the personalities of the characters

• protagonist

• genre

• characterization

• villain

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

The results or effects of the climax

• resolution

• falling action

• plot

• setting

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

The emotional atmosphere of a piece – how the reader “feels”

• mood

• motif

• irony

• images

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Description evoking the use of the five senses

• theme

• adjectives

• flashback

• imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5