Regents ELA literary devices

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference in a text to something typically of historical, biblical, or literary significance. The reference does not go into detail.

Characterization

The ways in which a writer portrays a character either directly or indirectly.

Direct characterization

How a character is portrayed through his/her description, actions, words, or thoughts. Behavior, decisions, and speech reveal personality.

Indirect characterization

How a character is portrayed through other characters’ actions or reactions, words, or thoughts. Others’ responses show what kind of person the character is.

Conflict

A struggle between two opposing forces—usually a protagonist and antagonist. Can be internal or external.

Internal conflict

A psychological struggle within a character, often between conflicting emotions or desires (ex

External conflict

A struggle when a character encounters outside obstacles (man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society, supernatural forces).

Details

Descriptive information included to make a text more interesting, engaging, and vivid. Helps “show” not “tell.”

Diction

Word choice; the style of speaking or writing determined by vocabulary. Includes connotative meaning and types (formal, colloquial, etc.).

Foreshadowing

A writer’s hint about what will happen later. Creates suspense and expectation.

Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration not meant to be taken literally (ex

Imagery

Descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the five senses to create effect.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality. Includes verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.

Verbal irony

Words mean the opposite of their literal meaning (ex: a big dog named tiny)

Situational irony

The opposite of what was expected happens (ex: winning the lottery and dying the next day

Dramatic irony

The audience knows more than the characters (ex readers know the villain is plotting something but the main character doenst.)

Juxtaposition

Placement of two or more things side by side for effect or contrast.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unrelated things without using "like" or "as."

Direct metaphor

"This office is a prison."

Indirect metaphor

"I’m stuck behind bars from 9–5!"

Mood

The atmosphere or feeling created by a text. Influenced by setting, imagery, diction, tone, etc. It’s what the reader feels.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that makes sense (ex

Personification

Giving human characteristics to non-human things (ex

Rhetorical appeals

Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion—pathos, ethos, logos.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion.

Ethos

Appeal to credibility.

Logos

Appeal to logic.

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect, not an answer.

Setting

The time and place where a story occurs. Weather may also be part of the setting.

Simile

A comparison between two unrelated things using "like" or "as" (ex

Symbolism

An object, character, or event representing something else, often abstract (ex

Theme

A central idea in a literary work. Must be expressed as a complete thought, not just a word (ex

Tone

The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward a subject. Must be specified (ex