Common Literary Devices

A main character whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation. Usually has a “larger than life” personality, and possibly supernatural powers. Defeats bad guys and usually has “good” on his/her side. Usually has one tragic flaw that leads to his/her downfall.

• Epic simile

• Epithet

• Epic hero

• Allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

a literary device that involves using the same word or phrase over and over again in a piece of writing or speech

• Conflict

• Foreshadowing

• Greek values

• Repetition

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

an idea, symbol, pattern, or character-type, in a story. It’s any story element that appears again and again in stories from cultures around the world and symbolizes something universal in the human experience.

• Mood

• Archetype

• Alliteration

• Connotation

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Struggle or tension between 2 opposing forces in a work of literature. Can be internal or external.

• Epithet

• Mood

• Conflict

• Intervention of the gods

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

A simile that is several lines long, used to emphasize a point.

• Greek values

• Epic simile

• Epithet

• Allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

The feeling or idea that a word has. (Not necessarily the dictionary definition.)

• Foreshadowing

• Allusion

• Connotation

• Imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Language that authors use to appeal to the five senses.

• Imagery

• Allusion

• Mood

• Conflict

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

A descriptive name or phrase used to characterize someone or something

• Foreshadowing

• Epic simile

• Archetype

• Epithet

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

the emotional response that the text is supposed to make you feel.

• Allusion

• Mood

• Conflict

• Epic hero

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

When an author mentions a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

• Intervention of the gods

• Epic simile

• Allusion

• Greek values

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4