literay devices 1/2

authors purpose

1. the author's motivation/reason for writing

point of view - (POV)

a way of thinking about something that is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences

first person point of view

the narrator gives the audience/reader all of the information from HIS or Her point of view/perspective/consciousness and is involved in the events, using the words "I", "me", or "we" to tell the story.

third person omniscient point of view

 the narrator gives the audience/reader the point of view/perspective/consciousness of MANY characters but is not involved in the events, using the words "he", "she", or "they" to tell the story.

third person limited point of view

the narrator gives the audience/reader information through the point of view/perspective/consciousness of ONE character and is not involved in the events, using the words "he", "she", or "they" to tell the story.

Protagonist

 the principal/most important character in a piece of literature

Antagonist

the force or person who opposes or struggles against the protagonist

character motivation

the reason behind the character's behaviors and actions in a given scene or throughout the story.

conflict

1. a struggle between two opposing forces

 climax

the moment of peak tension, excitement or importance which draws an emotional response from the audience. It usually is when the character makes an important decision.

resolution

the solution to the conflict or difficult situation of the protagonist

theme

is the universal idea, lesson/moral, or message explored throughout a piece of literature that not only apply to the characters but a broader truth about the human experience.

Round Character

characters that are developed in a multidimensional way, with many details about their personality and interactions with others and an important role in the story

Flat Character

characters that the audience has limited information about and plays a minor role in the story

Dynamic Character

 a character that changes from the beginning of the story to the end in his/her thoughts, words, actions, and interactions with others -  maybe as a result of their experiences or observations

Static Character

a character that remains the same throughout the story in his/her thoughts, words, actions, and interactions with others

Figurative language/figures of speech

language the author uses in an imaginative, non literal way to make a comparison or produce a desired effect.

Hyperbole

 figurative language that is an exaggeration or overstatement for the purpose of emphasis. 

Situational Irony

figurative language that a situation or event that is the opposite of what is expected 

Simile

 figurative language that is a comparison of two different thing,s using the words “like” or “as” 

Metaphor

figurative language that is a comparison of two different things

Onomatopoeia

 figurative language that words that sound like the things they name

Imagery

figurative language that the use of descriptive language that creates vivid images/pictures in the audience's mind through the use  of sensory information (sight, touch, hear, smell, taste)

Personification

figurative language that is giving human qualities to an object or an animal

Oxymoron

figurative language that combines two contradictory words

Foreshadowing

1. the suggestion of events to come

Flashback

1. the insertion of a scene that shows an earlier event or character reveals a memory

Denotation

1.  the dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

1. an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, an associated definition with a positive or negative quality

External Conflict

1. a type of conflict that places characters at odds with forces outside themselves, standing in the way of a character's motivations and creating tension as the character tries to reach their goals. 

Internal Conflict

1. a type of conflict where the character struggles with themselves concerning a decision or an issue/problem