Literary Terms
Literary Terms 2
Literary Terms 3
Literary Terms 4
Miscellaneous
100
The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words. Example: The Wicked Witch of the West went her own way.
What is alliteration?
100
A word that is the opposite in meaning to another word.
What is an antonym?
100
Conversation between characters or speakers in a literary work; in its most restricted sense, it refers specifically to the speech of characters in a drama.
What is dialogue?
100

A literary device that compares two things using "like" or "as"

What is a simile?

100
A device in literature where an object represents an idea.
What is symbolism?
200
Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions. Example: The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds.
What is imagery?
200
A category used to classify literary works, usually by form, technique or content. Examples: Poetry, Non-fiction
What is genre?
200
Text that is not fictional; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct or describe rather than entertain. For the most part, its emphasis is factual.
What is non-fiction?
200

The literal dictionary definition of a word

What is denotation?

300
An exaggeration or overstatement. Example: I have a million things to do.
What is a hyperbole?
300
The comparison of two unlike things in which no words of comparison (like or as) are used. Example: The speech gave me food for thought.
What is a metaphor?
300
The position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted.
What is point of view?
300

The emotional charge that goes with a word

What is connotation

300
Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.
What is figurative language?
400
When the opposite of what you’d expect to happen actually happens. Example: A man who is a traffic cop gets his license suspended for unpaid parking tickets.
What is irony?
400
The atmosphere that pervades a literary work with the intention of evoking a certain emotion or feeling from the audience.
What is mood?
400
An author's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning and tone.
What is diction?
400

A reference to another work of art (story, painting, song, etc.) within a story

What is Allusion?

500
A literary approach that ridicules or examines human vice or weakness. Examples: "Saturday Night Live" or "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
What is satire?
500
The attitude of the author or speaker toward the audience, characters, subject or the work istelf.
What is tone?
500
A topic of discussion or work; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work.
What is theme?
500

A story in which all parts are symbolic

What is allegory?

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