1. LITERARY DEVICES WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY RELATE TO WHAT WE HAVE READ?

2. WHAT IS A LITERARY DEVICE? A literary device is a technique a writer uses to produce a special effect in their writing. Writers use literary devices to make their stories more interesting. Sometimes literary devices can produce a different style of writing! Example: Dr. Seuss “Many mumbling mice are making midnight music in the moonlight.” This literary device is called “alliteration” where two or more words in a row start with the same sound (in this example, “m”).

3. LITERARY DEVICE 1: POINT OF VIEW Point of View is the way the story is narrated or told (who’s perspective). Two common points of view: First Person: The story is told by the narrator from his/her perspective (uses I, me, my). Example: “The Outsiders” is told from Ponyboy’s point of view. Third Person: The narrator is not part of the plot (uses he, she, they) Examples: “Winnie the Pooh”, “March of the Penguins”, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

4. LITERARY DEVICE 2: SETTING The setting of the story tells us the time and place (location) of the story. It can help create the mood of the story. Setting tells us where, when, and what circumstances. The setting can be real or a made up place. Example: “Diary of Wimpy Kid” is set in a Middle School.

5. LITERARY DEVICE 3: THEME The theme is the main idea or underlying meaning of a story. The theme is VERY important and links everything in the story together! Stories often have more than one theme. Common themes include: Good vs. Evil, Love, Faith, Man vs. Society, Be Yourself, Revenge… What are the themes of the following stories: “Romeo and Juliet”? “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”?

6. LITERARY DEVICE 4: MOTIFS A motif is a theme that constantly comes appears through an entire story. Motifs repeat through the story and are often obvious. Example: Fairytales A “handsome prince” falls in love with the “damsel in distress” princess, they defeat an evil character and live “Happily Ever After”.

7. LITERARY DEVICE 5: FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE Figurative Language is using figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful. Figures of speech go beyond the literal meaning of the story and cause the reader to wonder or realize a deeper meaning. Examples: Similes“Light as a feather” Metaphors“I could eat a horse!” Imagery“He felt like the flowers were waving him hello!” Allusions (to religion)“So Eden sank to grief” from “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost

8. LITERARY DEVICE 6: FLASHBACK Flashback is when the author goes back to a certain point in time BEFORE the present time of the story. A flashback usually gives the reader more background information on a certain character, event, or setting (place). Flashbacks are very common in movies!! Examples: 1. “Up” has a flashback to when the old man met Ellie. 2. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (newer version) has a flashback to when he was a child and could not have his Halloween candy.

9. LITERARY DEVICE 7: FORESHADOWING Foreshadowing is when the author hints at something that will happen later in the story. When an author uses foreshadowing they do not ruin the story or directly tell what is going to happen. Many times the reader does not even know the author used foreshadowing until they have an “ah-ha!” moment at the end! Example: “The Lion King” “Simba, let me tell you something my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.”

10. LITERARY DEVICE 8: IRONY Irony is a contradiction between what happens and what you expect to happen. Irony is usually funny and makes you laugh! Examples: 1. Jared laughed at someone slipping on a banana, then he slips on a banana! 2. Posting a video on YouTube about how boring and pointless YouTube is… 3. A fireman who is afraid of fire.

11. LITERARY DEVICE 9: SYMBOLISM Symbolism: An object stands for itself and a deeper idea. It creates a link between the object and an abstract idea. Can be both literal and figurative. Examples of Common Symbols: Dove = PeaceHearts = LoveSnake = EvilBlue = Calm

12. LITERARY DEVICE 10: CLIFFHANGER Cliffhanger: An abrupt ending without resolution. Cliffhangers leave the reader wondering! Got it’s name from Thomas Hardy’s novel “A Pair of Blue Eyes” where the main character was left hanging on the edge of a cliff at the end of the novel. Examples: