Literary Devices & Techniques Quiz

Literary Devices & Techniques

• Allusion: Indirect reference to something else (e.g., historical event, famous work).
• Archetype: Recurring character type across cultures and time periods.
• Characterization: Methods an author uses to reveal a character's personality.
• Conflict: Struggle between two forces (internal or external).
• Dramatic Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant, often for effect or humor.
• Epic: Long narrative poem about heroic deeds.
• Figure of Speech: Non-literal use of language (e.g., metaphor, simile).
• Flashback: Scene set before the main story, interrupting the timeline.
• Foreshadowing: Hint of future events.
• Frame Story: A story within a story (or set of stories).
• Imagery: Vivid language appealing to the senses (sight, sound, smell, etc.)
• Irony: Expression of opposite meaning; discrepancy between expectation and reality.
• Narrator: The storyteller in a piece of literature.
• Omniscient Narrator: All-knowing narrator (3rd person).
• Point of View: Perspective from which the story is told (1st person, 2nd person, or 3rd person).
• 1st Person: "I" or "we" perspective; a character in the story.
• 2nd Person: "You" perspective; the reader is the main character.
• 3rd Person: Perspective outside the story; single character or the narrator is outside but observing multiple characters).
• Satire: Ridiculing to reform.
• Setting: Time and place a story takes place.
• Situational Irony: Unexpected event contrary to expectations.
• Symbolism: Use of symbols to represent abstract ideas.
• Theme: Recurring idea in a work of literature.
• Tone: Author's attitude in a piece of writing.

Poetry & Figurative Language

• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
• Dramatic Monologue: Poem as a character's speech.
• Diction: Word choice and usage in writing or speaking.
• Hyperbole: Exaggerated statement for effect (not meant literally).
• Kenning: Metaphorical compound expression (e.g., "sea horse" for "ship").
• Metaphor: Direct comparison of unlike things.
• Mood: Emotional effect created by writing on the reader.
• Personification: Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.
• Point of View: Narrative perspective. (1st, 2nd, and 3rd).
• Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as."
• Speaker: Voice of the poem.
• Rhyme: Correspondence of sounds between words.
• Rhythm: Pattern of movement or sound in poetry.
• Visual Imagery: Sensory details invoking sight.

Drama

• Aside: Comment directed to audience, not other characters.
• Comic Relief: Humorous episodes in a serious play or story.
• Dramatic Irony: Opposite meaning or effect occurs.
• Monologue: Extended speech by one character.
• Soliloquy: Speech by a character alone on stage, revealing inner thoughts.

Nonfiction/Research/Writing

• Annotated Bibliography: List of sources with summaries and commentary.
• Argument: Reasoning to persuade others.
• Connotation: Implied meaning of a word beyond the literal.
• In-text Citation: Quote references within a text.
• Paradox: Seemingly contradictory statement that may be true.
• Parody: Imitation of a style for humor.
• Satire: Ridicule to reform.
• Thesis: Main point of an essay or research paper.
• Transitions: Words connecting ideas.