Literary Terms - definitions

Front

What is alliteration?

Back

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words that are close together.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is hyperbole?

Back

Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

What is pathos?

Back

Persuasion that appeals to your emotions.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is a pun?

Back

A humorous play on words that exploits multiple meanings.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is allusion?

Back

A reference to a well-known story, movie, historical event, or work of art.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Front

What is metaphor?

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is analogy?

Back

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5B

CCSS.L.8.5B

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is ethos?

Back

Persuasion that appeals to the credibility or character of the speaker.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is oxymoron?

Back

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

Front

What is imagery?

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a mental picture.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5