Year 10 Novel Study: Literary Devices

Elements of a
Definition Examples
Novel
George Orwells Animal Farm is a political allegory
of events in the Russian Revolution and
A story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a
Allegory hidden meaning.
Communism. Eg., The human farm owner, Mr.
Jones represents Tsar Nicholas II who was
overthrown.
Antagonists in George Lucas Star Wars films
The character, group of characters, thing or idea that is
Antagonist against the protagonist (main character) in a story.
include The Empire, Emperor Palpatine and Darth
Vader.

Character Any person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work. Harry Potter, Cinderella, Simba
Peeta and Katniss agree to eat the poisonous
The point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension is the berries instead of attempt to kill each other (and
Climax highest. A feature of the plot. the outcome is that they are both declared
winners). The Hunger Games
In Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird, an honest
The resistance a protagonist faces in achieving their aims or lawyer, Atticus Finch, fights against the dominate
Conflict dreams. This conflict can have external or internal origins. views of society about race in defending an African
American man accused of rape. (external conflict)
Suzanne Collins novel The Hunger Games was
The set of circumstances or facts the surround the creation of published in 2008, and was influenced by the
Context a text. popularity of reality television at the time and the
ongoing Iraq War.
Mood The atmosphere of the novel, and the emotional responses it Barack Obama often tried to create a mood of
creates for the reader. Mood can be developed through hopefulness and unity in his political speeches.
 setting, theme, tone and diction.
Hunting is a motif in The Hunger Games. It takes
An object or idea that repeats itself throughout a novel, and
Motif helps explain the themes.
on different meanings throughout the novel, and
helps illustrate themes about survival.
The plot of Harry Potter and the Philosophers
Stone begins when Harry learns that Professor
Snape is after the Philosophers Stone. The
The events that make up the main part of the story. These Professor lets loose a troll, who nearly kills Harry
Plot events relate to each other in a pattern or sequence. and his friends. In addition, Harry finds out that
Hagrid let out the secret of the giant dog to a
stranger in return for a dragon which means that
Snape can now reach the Phillosophers Stone.
The central character of a narrative. The protagonist is very The protagonist in The Hunger Games is Katniss
Protagonist important, as the story revolves around him/ her. Everdeen.
First person narrators are characters inside the
story, eg. 'I've come to this coffee shop so often,
the barista knows me.'
Second person narrators speak directly to the
Refers to who is telling the story, or who is narrating it. The
reader as you, eg. You've come to this coffee
narration of a story or novel can be told in three main ways:
Point of view shop so often, the barista knows you.'
first person, second person, and third person. To Third person narrators refer to all characters in
determine point of view, ask, 'Who is doing the talking?' the story as 'he' or 'she.' They know the
characters thoughts and see their actions even
when they're alone, eg. 'He has come to this coffee
shop so often, the barista knows him.'
The time, place and social context in which a story takes Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is set in the city of
place, . Settings can be real or fictional, specific or broad. The Verona in a social context in which two noble
Setting setting provides a backdrop for the story and helps create families are at war with each other.
mood.
Structure The order and manner in which a story is presented to the The Hunger Games is a linear narrative separated
 reader. It is about story and plot: the content of a story and
the form used to tell the story. Narratives can be linear
(events are largely told in the order in which they occur) or into three distinct parts.
nonlinear (events are portrayed out of chronological order).

The underlying message or big idea of a story. One of the themes in Finding Nemo is that
Theme sometimes you have to let go and trust in your
friends and family.
The attitude of the writer towards a subject or an audience. Father: We are going on a vacation.
Tone Tone is usually communicated through the choice of words or Son: Thats great!!!
the viewpoint of the writer on a particular subject. The sons tone could be described as cheerful.

Literary
Definition Examples
Techniques
When words that start with the same consonant sound are James Joyce, The Dead: His soul swooned
Alliteration used close together. slowly
A brief or indirect reference to a person, place thing or idea
There is an allusion to the Greek Myth of Theseus
of significance. It is just a passing comment- the reader
Allusion needs to have enough knowledge to spot the reference and
and the Minotaur with the selection of tributes to
be sacrificed in Collins The Hunger Games.
understand its importance.
In George Orwells Animal Farm, one of the pigs
Anthropomorp When a writer gives human traits, behaviours or emotions to
gives a political speech encouraging the animals to
hism animals, Gods, objects etc.
rebel against the human tyrants.
Characterizati The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a Direct characterization: The patient boy and
character. The author can use direct characterization (tell the quiet girl were both well-mannered and did not
on
audience what the personality of the character is) or indirect disobey their mother.
characterization (show things that reveal the personality of Indirect characterization: Through her actions
the character using speech, thoughts, their effect on others, towards Rue after her death, Katniss is revealed to
actions and looks). be a compassionate and caring person- Slowly,
 one stem at a time, I decorate her body in flowers
(p. 286), The Hunger Games
I was wondering how the last one died, says Rue.
A conversation between two or more people, indicated by
Dialogue quotation marks.
No telling. But its good for us. (p. 253, The
Hunger Games).
I realize, for the first time, how very lonely Ive
been in the arena. How comforting the presence of
The choice or use of words and phrases. Diction is important another human being can be. (p. 252), The
Diction in creating character and conveying mood, tone and Hunger Games- Collins chooses to use the term
atmosphere. human being instead of person to emphasise
Rues humanity in comparison to the cold, robotic
career tributes.
The Hunger Games uses extensive exposition to
The introduction of background information about events, create the fictional world of Panem, and help the
Exposition settings, characters etc. reader understand how and why the games take
place.
Prim is worried that she will be selected as a
tribute. Katniss tells Prim that her name wont get
Foreshadowin When a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later
drawn out, as it is only in the draw once. This is a
g in the story.
hint that later, Prim will indeed be selected as the
first tribute.
Attendance is mandatory, unless you are on
Hyperbole The use of exaggeration for emphasis.
deaths door. The Hunger Games, p. 6
Her features eradicated, her limbs three times
their normal size. The stinger lumps have begun to
Imagery Language and description that appeals to our five senses.
explode, spewing putrid green liquid around her.
The Hunger Games, p. 233
and turn my features into an indifferent mask so
A comparison between two things or ideas that does not use
Metaphor like or as.
that no one could ever read my thoughts. The
Hunger Games, p. 6.
Onomatopoei A word that imitates the sound of a thing. Bang, boom, zap, clunk, whoop
 a
Oxymoron When two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. Happy Hunger Games! The Hunger Games, p. 23
He lists the disasters, the droughts, the storms,
Personificatio
When a thing, idea or animal is given human attributes. the fires, the encroaching seas that swallowed up
n so much of the land.... The Hunger Games, p. 18
When an idea, word or phrase is repeated to make an idea I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant
Repetition clearer or for emphasis. as the sun. The Hunger Games,
...I always take a moment to listen carefully for
Simile The comparison of two unlike things using like or as. the hum that means the fence is live. Right now,
its silent as a stone. The Hunger Games, p. 5
In The Hunger Games, the mockingjay symbolises
Using an object or word to represent an abstract idea or a
Symbolism deeper meaning.
resistance and rebellion- freedom from the power
of the Capitol.