Literary Devices Flashcards

Front

Makes a reference to someone or something by name (a person, object, location, etc.) without explaining how it relates to the given context, so that the audience must realize the connection in their own mind.

Back

allusion

Front

A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

Back

irony

Front

The turning point of the story—usually when the main conflict of the story comes to a head.

Back

climax

Front

The beginning of the story where the characters, setting, and main conflicts are first developed.

Back

exposition

Front

The stage of plot between the climax and resolution in which the story begins to draw to a close and tension eases. The outcome of the story is not yet worked out.

Back

falling action

Front

A series of events in a story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Back

plot

Front

The stage of the plot that develops the conflict or struggle. The tension rises as the story nears the climax.

Back

rising action

Front

The end of the story in which conflicts are resolved and loose ends are tied up.

Back

resolution

Front

Descriptive words or phrases that create clear images of what’s going on in the reader’s mind. Imagery usually appeals to one or more of the five senses.

Back

imagery

Front

The atmosphere or emotion created by writing, mostly affected by the setting or how characters respond to what's going on.

Back

mood