Literary Elements and Devices (Basic Definitions)

Front

What is the plot of a story?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

What is a genre in literature?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

What are the types of conflict in literature?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

What is a flashback?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

What is irony in literature?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is the theme of a story?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

What is setting in literature?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

What is foreshadowing?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

What is mood in literature?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Front

What is imagery?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5