Literary Terms

Front

Allusion

Back

A reference within a work to something famous outside it, such as a well-known person, place, event, story, or work of art, literature, music, or pop culture.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Front

Personification

Back

The giving of human qualities to an animal or object.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

Metaphor

Back

A comparison between two things that have something in common without using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Theme

Back

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.

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

Onomatopoeia

Back

The use of words whose sound suggests their meaning (e.g., buzz, hiss, pop).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Hyperbole

Back

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

Diction

Back

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Symbolism

Back

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Characterization

Back

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3