Rising Star Adventures and Beyond

Day 24 prep 2025 Plot devices

(1) Brainstorm possible solutions to your conflict and complications using the list of literary devices below or your own ideas.
(2) Identify a mentor or helper who aids the protagonist(s) in achieving their goals.
(3) Identify any other literary devices from the list you could use to enhance your writing.

Literary Devices List
*Bullet* Foreshadowing: Hints of something to come.
*Bullet* Chekhov's Gun: The gun on the wall in Scene 1 is eventually fired.
*Bullet* Repetitive Designation: An object or fact appears over and over.
*Bullet* Symbolism: Small facts, objects, or characterizations represent something bigger.
*Bullet* Self-fulfilling prophecy: Protagonist attempts to thwart prophecy but in attempting, fulfills it.
*Bullet* Poetic Justice: Good guys are rewarded and bad guys are punished.
*Bullet* Plot Twist: Surprises the reader with something unexpected.
*Bullet* False Protagonist: The protagonist dies or turns out to be something other than the protagonist.
*Bullet* Red Herring: A false trail diverts the reader's attention from what really happened.
*Bullet* Unreliable Narrator: The narrator has been misleading the reader all along.
*Bullet* Irony: The exact opposite of what the reader expects happens.
*Bullet* Reveal: A hidden connection between characters or facts is revealed in time.
*Bullet* Plot Device: Advances the plot forward, often pushing the main character past a hurdle.
*Bullet* Object of Power: Either the protagonist wants it, or the object drives the plot of its own accord.
*Bullet* MacGuffin: Something the protagonist wants for unknown and unimportant reasons.
*Bullet* Quibble: Following the letter of the law, contract, or agreement instead of its intent, changing the outcome.
*Bullet* Narrative Hook: Story opening that grab's the reader's attention.
*Bullet* Cliffhanger: Ending a scene, chapter or story in the middle of action, hooking the reader.
*Bullet* Ticking Clock Scenario: The threat of impending doom if the protagonist's objective is not met.
*Bullet* Breaking the Fourth Wall: A character speaks directly to the reader.
*Bullet* Or anything from this list: http://literary-devices.com/



Foreshadowing- I want to make the fiancé seem desirable to Ayah but a bit annoying or repulsive to other people. Yet people who care about her tolerate him for her sake. I also want to create conditions that make other characters suspects to the crimes.

Things can be mysteriously moved around the house and property. (proof Ayah is being spied on)

Repetitive designation: Might be a good idea in this story, but what item? Maybe the fiancé's business card or a match book or lighter? Does the fiancé smoke? hmm! Who else may smoke in the story? Could this also be a brand of cigarettes?

symbolism:??? The Champayne glasses left on the coffee table or maybe teacups? A business logo? Logo of an organization? Napkins with certain markings?

Red herring: I need to come up with one or 2 of these. Perhaps a fire or break-in unrelated but close by? Planted evidence/ an attempt at framing someone? The weather could also cause plausible diversions. What would hinder or slow the investigation? The library being closed. The police station over busy and understaffed. An accident blocking the road. Suspects unwilling to cooperate with the investigation. Lack of evidence.

I need to do some systematic reveals when it comes to suspects and evidence. I need to sort the evidence from random facts.

The best friend will be a key helper in the case.