English Lit Devices Quiz- 8/21/26

allegory

A highly symbolic fictional narrative that represents an abstract idea or conveys a message about morals or politics

allusion

Reference to a well-known piece of information

analogy

Establishes a relationship based on similarities between two concepts

anaphora

Repetition of a word of phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses

anthropomorphism

Giving human characteristics or features to non-human objects or animals

archetype

A concept, person, or object that is used as a pattern

characterization

How an author introduces and describes a character

conflict

Resistance the protagonist faces that progresses the plot

connotation

An understood or implied meaning of a word

denotation

Literal definition of a word

diction

Author’s word choice, style

Enjambment

Continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next

epithet

Enjambment

euphemism

Using a milder phrasing with the same denotation

foil

A character that significantly and intentionally contrasts the main character

foreshadowing

Author’s hint about something that could be coming in the story

hyperbole

Exaggeration for dramatic effect

imagery

Very descriptive wording that invites, or forces, us to visualize, or that stimulates any of our other senses

irony

Implied meaning is different from the literal meaning, Outcome defies expectation

juxtaposition

Close placement of two contrasting characters, concepts, etc. for emphasis

metaphor

Comparison between two objects or ideas by saying one is the other

meter

Rhythm of lines of poetry

mood

The feeling established for the reader; atmosphere of the text

motif

Recurring element such as repeated concepts, phrases, images, or situations that contribute to the overall meaning

oxymoron

Contradictory words used together

paradox

Contradictory ideas used together, Or the statement of an impossible scenario

personification

Giving human qualities or abilities to inanimate objects or animals

plot

Sequence of events that make up a story

setting

Where AND when the story takes place

simile

Comparison between two objects or ideas using like or as

stanza

A group of related lines in poetry

Stream of consciousness

Uninterrupted stream of narrator’s thoughts and ideas

symbol

A physical object that represents an abstract idea

synecdoche

Uses part of something to refer to the whole

theme

The author’s message about universal concepts: life, situations, human nature, fate, etc

tone

The author’s attitude toward their topic

Verisimilitude

Appearance of being true or real