Literary Examples

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Her hair was like snow.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is a metaphor?

Back

A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Juliet is the sun.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is hyperbole?

Back

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Example: 'I am the richest man in the world!'

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

What is onomatopoeia?

Back

Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the natural sounds of a thing. Example: 'Splash! Boom! Bang! Whoosh!'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

What is alliteration?

Back

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words. Example: 'She sells seashells by the sea shore.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is personification?

Back

Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

What is imagery?

Back

Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a mental picture. Example: 'The golden sun set over the calm, blue ocean.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

What is an allusion?

Back

An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art. Example: 'He has the Midas touch.'

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Front

What is a theme in literature?

Back

A theme is the central idea or underlying message in a literary work. Example: The theme of love in 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

What is a symbol in literature?

Back

A symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that stands for something beyond itself. Example: A dove symbolizes peace.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3