writing strategies/literary devices

characterization

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of the character. This can be done though describing the character’s thoughts, feelings, or actions

conflict

a struggle or clash between opposing character, forces, or emotions

internal conflict

occurs when a character struggles with emotions, needs, or desires within himself

external conflict

occurs when a character struggles against some outside force

imagery

to use figurative language to represent objects, actons, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses

irony

a contrast between expectation and reality - between what is said and what is meant, between what is expected and what really happens

metaphor

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things

simile

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a connective word such as “like” or “as”

setting

the time and place in which the action occurs in the story

symbolism

a person, place, thing, or event that stands both for itself and for something beyond itself (heart = love)

tone

the attitude the writer takes towards the reader, a subject, or a character

point of view

how the narrator plays a role in what reades see and hear in the story (1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person, 3rd person omniscient)

1st person

the narrator is a person in the story, telling the story from their own point of view (I, we)

2nd person

the narrator is talking to the reader directly (you)

3rd person

the narrator is talking about the characters (he, she, they)

3rd person omniscient

the narrator knows all the thoughts, actions, and feelings of all characters (all knowing)

denotation

literal definition of the word

connotation

thoughts, feelings, emotions associated with a word

structure

how information is organized (cause/ effect, problem/solution, sequence, description, compare/contrast)