Literary Devices Mrs. Hudson

What is it? Literary Device: Why is it important? Where is it used?

Plot What is it? Elements The story! Elements Exposition- Background information about characters and setting. Rising Action- Events leading up to the action. Climax- The highest point of action in the text. Falling Action- The events leading to a conclusion. Resolution- Everything is resolved and the story ends. Most stories, movies, books follow this pattern.

Symbolism A symbol is a representation of something. The @ symbol represents what? The © represents what? In literature, these usually are objects that have a deeper meaning…. A caged bird may symbolism oppression or the loss of freedom Colors may symbolize the moods of the characters.

Characterization Techniques that writers use to develop characters. Physical Appearance Speech, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions of a character Speech, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions of another character Narrator’s direct comments Direct Characterization- Things we know for sure; The are told to us! Indirect Characterization- Things we infer; we gather information without being told.

Mood Mood: The feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader using figurative language, imagery, rhyme, etc. “Thin mists drift over One-Fold Mountain- Folds of faintly dyed cloth; In a cloudless sky a doleful wind. Lonely mountain vista, Remote and friendless landscape” - Zeami Motokiyo, The Deserted Crone

Tone Tone: The writer’s attitude towards the subject “Don’t get a tone with me” This is shaped by language, imagery, etc. Read aloud; your emotions will usually convey the tone.

Imagery The use of words and phrases that create vivid sensory experiences for you. The five senses Can appeal to more than one sense simultaneously. Example:

Allusion A reference to something else. It really only works if you are familiar with what is being referenced. Effective writers use references that appeal to their intended audience. “And I said Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone” – Taylor Swift “We can live like Jack and Sally if you want”- Blink 182

Point of View Ask yourself: Who is speaking? This will determine the way we interpret the events of a story. 1st Person- Uses “I,” “me,” “my,”--- the speaker is telling his own thoughts and story. 2nd Person- Uses “You” 3rd Person- Uses “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” “John,” “Bob”---the speaker is telling us about someone else.

Foreshadowing and Flashback Foreshadowing- the use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur later in a narrative. Creates suspense for what is to come Flashback-A glimpse back in time. Helps the reader understand the character’s current situation Could be a dream sequence, descriptions by a third- person narrator, remembering the past, etc.

Hyperbole An exaggerated or extravagant statement that is supposed to create a strong emotional response “I will die if he asks me out” “I’ve told you a million times” “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”

Personification Giving human characteristics to an animal, object, or idea. Used to make feelings and images concrete to the reader. Often used with imagery “Hip-hop is dead. Hip-hop just died this morning, And She’s dead.” -Nas

Metaphor Makes a comparison between two things that are usually not alike. Does NOT use like or as “Life’s a journey, not a destination” “Love is a homeless guy searching for treasure in the middle of the rain and finding a bag of gold coins and slowly finding out they're all filled with chocolate and even though he's heart broken, he can't complain because he was hungry in the first place” –Bo Burnham

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using like or as. Used to intensify emotional response, stimulate the senses, and express ideas.

Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Helps to emphasize certain words and heighten meaning.