Literary Devices and Their Examples

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance, without detailed description.

Atmosphere

The mood or feeling created by a literary work, often established through setting, tone, and imagery.

Characterization

The method an author uses to develop characters in a story, including direct description, actions, thoughts, speech, and interactions with other characters.

Direct characterization

The author explicitly describes the character.

Indirect characterization

The character is revealed through actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, and effects on others.

Flashback

A literary device where the narrative goes back in time to an earlier event, providing background or context to the current events of the story.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character (often the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, building anticipation and tension.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) to create vivid mental pictures.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality.

Situational Irony

When the opposite of what is expected happens.

Verbal Irony

When what is said is the opposite of what is meant.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Plot

The sequence of events in a story, typically structured as: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

First Person

Narrator is a character in the story ('I/we').

Second Person

The narrator addresses the reader directly ('you') - rare in fiction.

Third Person

Narrator is outside the story ('he/she/they').

Limited

Focuses on one character's thoughts and feelings.

Omniscient

Knows all characters' thoughts and events.

Objective

Reports only what is seen and heard.

Personification

Giving human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things or ideas.

Setting

The time and place in which a story occurs, including details like geography, historical period, weather, and culture.

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as.'

Symbol

An object, person, or event that represents a deeper meaning beyond its literal sense.

Theme

The central message, idea, or insight about life or human nature that the author conveys through the story.