Literary Terms

Front

Reference to something famous outside a work (person, place, event, etc.)

Back

Allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Front

Main idea or meaning of a literary work.

Back

Theme

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

A person, place, object, or action that represents something beyond itself.

Back

Symbolism

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Giving human traits to animals or objects.

Back

Personification

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

Comparison of two things with commonality, without 'like' or 'as'.

Back

Metaphor

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Words and phrases appealing to the five senses.

Back

Imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Comparison of two things with a common quality, using 'like' or 'as'.

Back

Simile

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Choice and use of words in speech or writing.

Back

Diction

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words (e.g., tongue twisters).

Back

Alliteration

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

Words whose sound suggests meaning (e.g., buzz, hiss, pop).

Back

Onomatopoeia

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5