Literary Devices

Front

Background info at the start

Back

exposition

Front

Returning to an earlier time to clarify present meaning

Back

flashback

Front

Setting

Back

The time and place where the story occurs.

Front

Recurring feature in a work that develops its theme

Back

Motify

Front

Antagonist

Back

A character or thing that is the source of conflict in a literary work.

Front

Emotional atmosphere of a piece – how the reader feels

Back

mood

Front

Plot

Back

The sequence of events in a work of literature

Front

Tone: The author’s attitude towards the subject or events

Back

The author’s attitude towards the subject or events

Front

How the author develops character personalities

Back

characterization

Front

Diction

Back

Word choice for a specific effect