Literary Devices ENG 2310

Character (3 types)

• Protagonist

• antagonist

• deuteragonist

Four Basic character Types

• Round- fully developed

• Flat- One-dimensional

• Dynamic- Character undergoes change

• Static- Chacarter does not undergo change

Conflict

A struggle; there are two types

• Internal (Character vs Self)

• External (Character vs Nature / Character vs Society / etc)

Flashback

a literary device that interrupts the chronological sequence of a story to depict an event from the past

Foreshadow

a literary device where an author gives hints or clues about events that will happen later in the story

Imagery/ Descriptive Writing

a specific literary device within descriptive writing that engages the five senses to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader.

Irony (4 types)

• Verbal Irony: This occurs when a speaker says one thing but means the opposite. The speaker's intended meaning is a contrast to the literal meaning of the words.

• Dramatic Irony: This happens when the audience or reader knows a crucial piece of information that one or more of the characters do not. 

• Situational Irony: In this case, an outcome occurs that is the opposite of what was expected. This often creates a surprising or paradoxical twist in the plot.

• Cosmic Irony: Also known as "irony of fate," this is a more tragic and severe version of situational irony. It suggests that a higher power, such as fate or the gods, is manipulating events to thwart a character's efforts. 

Metaphor 

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Motif

a recurring element, such as an image, idea, or symbol, that repeats throughout a work to help develop a theme.

Paradox

a statement or concept that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper or more complex truth upon closer examination.

Plot (5 elements)

• Exposition: introduces the reader to the setting & characters

• Inciting incident: This event creates the central conflict or struggle

• The development: part of the story where the struggle takes place 

• The climax: the high point of interest and suspense in the story

• The resolution- the point at which the conflict is ended, or resolved

Point of View (only 1st & 3rd)

First person- a narrative perspective where the story is told by a character within the story, using pronouns like "I" and "we"

Third Person: is a narrative style where the narrator is not a character in the story and refers to characters using "he," "she," "it," or "they"

• Third-person omniscient:

  The narrator is all-knowing and can access the thoughts and feelings of any or all characters. 

• Third-person limited:

  The narrator's perspective is limited to the thoughts and feelings of a single character. 

Setting

In literature, "setting" refers to the time and place of a story, including the physical location, historical period, social environment, and cultural context

Symbolisim

is the use of objects, people, situations, or actions to represent abstract ideas beyond their literal meaning

Theme

the central, unifying idea or message in a literary work that explores a universal truth about life or human nature

Foil

a character whose qualities are used to highlight the characteristics of another character, often the protagonist, through contrast