english literary devices

Motif

A recurring element, such as an image, symbol, or theme, that appears throughout a work of literature to help develop a central message or theme.

Theme

The underlying message or main idea of a literary work that provides a universal insight into life or human nature.

Static Character

A character who remains the same throughout the story and does not undergo significant internal change or character development.

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes a permanent and significant internal change in personality, outlook, or values by the end of the narrative.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating the main conflict of the story.

Protagonist

The central character in a story, around whom the plot revolves and with whom the audience usually identifies.

Round Character

A complex, fully developed character with many different, often contradictory, personality traits.

Flat Character

A character who is relatively uncomplicated and defined by only 1 or 2 traits, often serving a specific functional role.

Minor Character

A character who plays a small role in the plot, often used to help develop the main characters or move the story forward.

Sympathetic Character

A character whose motivations and actions are presented in a way that allows the reader to feel compassion, pity, or identification.

Direct Characterization (Direct Presentation)

A method where the author explicitly describes a character's traits or personality to the reader in a straightforward manner.

Indirect Characterization (Indirect Presentation)

A method where the author reveals a character's traits through their speech, thoughts, actions, appearance, and interactions with others.

Internal Conflict

A mental or emotional struggle occurring within a character's mind, often involving conflicting values, desires, or beliefs.

External Conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another person, nature, or society.

Dilemma

A situation requiring a choice between 2 or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

Person vs. Person

A type of external conflict where one character's goals or actions are in direct opposition to another character's.

Person vs. Nature

A type of external conflict where a character must overcome natural forces, such as extreme weather, animals, or environmental hazards.

Person vs. Society

A type of external conflict where a character's beliefs or actions clash with the rules, traditions, or expectations of their community or government.

Person vs. Self

A type of internal conflict where a character struggles with their own conscience, emotions, or a difficult decision-making process.

Point of View

The perspective or lens from which the narrative is told, determining what information is shared with the reader.

First Person

A narrative style where the story is told by a character within the plot using pronouns like 'I' and 'me'.

Third Person Limited

A narrative style where the narrator remains outside the story but focuses on the thoughts and feelings of only 1 character.

Third Person Objective

A narrative style where the narrator describes only observable actions and dialogue without revealing any character's internal thoughts or feelings.

Third Person Omniscient

A narrative style where the narrator is all-knowing and can reveal the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of any character in the story.

Situational Irony

A literary device where the actual outcome of a situation is the exact opposite of what was intended or expected by the characters or reader.

Dramatic Irony

A literary device where the audience or reader knows crucial information that the characters in the story remain unaware of.

Verbal Irony

A figure of speech where a character says something that is the opposite of what they actually mean, often for sarcastic effect.

Symbolism

The use of concrete objects, people, or places to represent abstract ideas, qualities, or concepts beyond their literal meaning.

Plot

The structured sequence of events that make up a story, following a specific arc of tension and resolution.

Exposition

The beginning of the plot where the setting, characters, and basic situation are introduced to the reader.

Rising Action

The series of events and complications that build tension and lead toward the climax of the story.

Climax

The turning point or moment of highest emotional intensity where the main conflict reaches its peak and the outcome is decided.

Falling Action

The events following the climax that lead toward the final resolution, showing the results of the characters' actions.

Resolution

The conclusion of the plot where the main conflict is resolved and loose ends within the narrative are tied up.