Literary Devices

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Foreshadowing

Back

Hints or clues an author gives about events that will happen later in the story.

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Flashback

Back

A scene that interrupts the main timeline to show something that happened earlier, giving background or important details.

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Repetition

Back

The intentional reuse of words, phrases, or ideas to emphasize a point or create rhythm.

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Imagery

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to help readers picture or feel what’s happening.

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Diction

Back

An author’s choice of words and style of expression, which can reveal mood, tone, or character.

Front

Language Use

Back

How an author uses words and sentence structures overall—such as formal or informal tone, figurative language, or specific vocabulary—to create meaning or effect.

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Simile

Back

A comparison between two unlike things using the words like or as (e.g., “Her smile was like sunshine”).

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Symbol

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An object, person, or event that stands for a larger idea or deeper meaning (e.g., a heart symbolizing love).

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Characterization

Back

The methods an author uses to reveal a character’s personality, including their thoughts, actions, speech, and how others respond to them.

Front

Theme

Back

The central message, lesson, or big idea of a story—what the author wants readers to think about life, people, or the world.