Literary Devices and Narrative Elements

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Analogy

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A literary device that creates a relationship based on parallels or connections between two ideas. Example: pencil is to write as book is to read.

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Cause and Effect

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A way of organizing stories where a situation is explained by presenting a cause, then examines its effect.

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External conflict

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A conflict that occurs outside of a character in a narrative. Types include character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. supernatural, character vs. technology, or character vs. society.

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Hyperbole

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Figurative language that uses exaggeration.

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Idiom

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A strange phrase that does not mean what it says.

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Index

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An alphabetized list of information at the back of a book that includes the page number where the information can be found.

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Inference

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An educated guess based on the information provided in the text.

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Internal conflict

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A conflict that occurs within a character in a narrative, often involving a decision. Example: Character vs. Self.

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Main character

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The person or animal most important to a narrative’s actions.

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Metaphor

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Figurative language comparing two things without using like or as.