Literary and Linguistic Terms

Front

Literal

Back

When a writer uses literal language, he or she is simply stating facts as they are.

Front

Figurative

Back

When a writer uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation.

Front

Simile

Back

A figure of speech comparing one thing to another with the use of like or as.

Front

Metaphor

Back

An implied comparison between dissimilar objects.

Front

Extended metaphor

Back

A comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences or paragraphs or lines.

Front

Alliteration

Back

Repetition of initial consonant sounds of words.

Front

Personification

Back

A figure of speech in which nonhuman things are given human characteristics.

Front

Repetition

Back

Simple repeating of a word in order to secure emphasis.

Front

Allusion

Back

Reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or in another work in literature.

Front

Idiom

Back

A figure of speech, old people phrases.