Plot device

This article is about writing techniques for enhancing a plot. For mechanisms that generate stories and plots, see Story generator.

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Shoulder angel

Main article: Shoulder angel

A shoulder angel is a plot device used for either dramatic or humorous effect in animation and comic strips (and occasionally in live-action television). The angel represents conscience and is often accompanied by a shoulder devil representing temptation. They are handy for easily showing inner conflict of a character. Usually, the angel is depicted on (or hovering near) the right shoulder and the devil or demon on the left, as the left side traditionally represents dishonesty or impurity (see Negative associations of left-handedness in language). The Shoulder Angel and Shoulder Devil are both derived from the concept of the id, ego and super-ego in Psychoanalysis, with the person in the center of the dispute being the ego between the super-ego Angel and the id Devil.

See also

• Dangler
• Literary technique
• Plot twist
• Premise (narrative)
• Stock character
• Theme (narrative)