Literary Terms

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, pop culture.

• Mood

• Theme

• Personification

• Allusion

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.

• Theme

• Symbolism

• Connotation

• Metaphor

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

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

• Mood

• Symbolism

• Diction

• Imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Words and phrases that appeal to readers five senses.

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

• Conflict

• Simile

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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

• Alliteration

• Diction

• Metaphor

• Simile

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Problem in any piece of literature.

• Symbolism

• Imagery

• Hyperbole

• Conflict

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

When an author interrupts the chronological sequence of a story by inserting past events.

• flashback

• foreshadowing

• flashshadowing

• foreback

Where a character says the opposite of what they mean.

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony

• Flat iron

Parables are small stories with big __________

• kingdoms

• lessons

• characters

• problems

A composition humorously imitating another, usually serious, piece of work.

• Parody
• Dramatic Irony
• Hyperbole
• Sarcasm

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6