Literary Devices

Question 1

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Answer 1

ALLEGORY

Question 2

Repeating the beginning consonant sound over and over for musical effect.

Answer 2

ALLITERATION

Question 3

A reference to something or someone famous from literature, religion, history or popular culture.

Answer 3

ALLUSION

Question 4

A person or thing seen as comparable or similar to another in design, origin, use etc.

Answer 4

ANALOGUE

Question 5

A short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature.

Answer 5

ANECDOTE

Question 6

A short phrase that expresses a true or wise idea.

Answer 6

APHORISM

Question 7

In conversation or drama, a short passage spoken in an undertone or addressed to an audience.

Answer 7

ASIDE

Question 8

Repetition of the same vowel sound

Answer 8

ASSONANCE

Question 9

used step by step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story

Answer 9

CHARACTERIZATION

Question 10

The highest or most intense point in the development or resolution of a work of literature

Answer 10

CLIMAX

Question 11

Literature of light and humorous style with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.

Answer 11

COMEDY

Question 12

A literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces, usually a protagonist and an antagonist.

Answer 12

CONFLICT

Question 13

The use of opposing elements or ideas.

Answer 13

CONTRAST

Question 14

the very end of the story

Answer 14

DENOUMENT

Question 15

The words that are said between characters in a novel, play, story etc.

Answer 15

DIALOGUE

Question 16

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Answer 16

EUPHEMISM

Question 17

A warning or clue that indicates an unfortunate future event.

Answer 17

FORESHADOWING

Question 18

An obvious exaggeration of the facts to create a stronger effect.

Answer 18

HYPERBOLE

Question 19

A group of words that help paint a picture in the reader’s mind and/or appeals to the 5 senses.

Answer 19

IMAGERY

Question 20

Reaching a conclusion based on known facts or evidence in a work of literature.

Answer 20

INFERENCE

Question 21

When the opposite happens from what is expected.

Answer 21

SITUATIONAL IRONY

Question 22

Saying one thing, but meaning the opposite.

Answer 22

VERBAL IRONY

Question 23

A direct comparison between one thing and another.

Answer 23

METAPHOR

Question 24

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is called not by its own name but rather by the name of something associated in meaning with that thing or concept.

Answer 24

METONYMY

Question 25

The atmosphere created by an author/artist/director etc.

Answer 25

MOOD

Question 26

A just punishment for a crime committed. Getting what you deserve.

Answer 26

NEMESIS

Question 27

A short phrase, usually two words, that brings together contradictory terms.

Answer 27

OXYMORON

Question 28

A word whose sound echoes or suggests its meanings

Answer 28

ONOMATOPEIA

Question 29

When parts of nature reflect human emotions.

Answer 29

PATHETIC FALLACY

Question 30

A confusing-sounding statement which actually makes sense.

Answer 30

PARADOX

Question 31

Giving human characteristics to objects or animals.

Answer 31

PERSONIFICATION

Question 32

A play on words. A joke created by the sound or double-meaning of a word.

Answer 32

PUN

Question 33

literary device which demonstrates the long and short patterns through stressed and unstressed syllables particularly in verse form.

Answer 33

RHYTHM

Question 34

Describing the rhythms of poetry by dividing the lines into feet, marking the locations of stressed and unstressed syllables, and counting the syllables.

Answer 34

SCANSION (Poetry)

Question 35

A comparison between two things, using “like” or “as.”

Answer 35

SIMILE

Question 36

Tension caused by not knowing what’s going to happen, or by anticipating what’s going to happen.

Answer 36

SUSPENCE

Question 37

A concrete object that also represents an abstract idea.

Answer 37

SYMBOLISM

Question 38

The moral of the story. A universal lesson an author tries to teach the audience.

Answer 38

THEME

Question 39

Attitude that a writer or speaker has towards the audience or topic.

Answer 39

TONE