Comparisons and Contradictions
A comparison that implies similarity without using “like” or “as,” such as “Time is a thief."
What is a metaphor?
“Wild winds whipped.”
What is alliteration?
The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
What is denotation?
A scene that interrupts chronological order to show an earlier event.
What is a flashback?
The author’s attitude toward the subject, revealed through diction and syntax.
What is tone?
“Her silence was like winter.”
What is a simile?
“The bees buzzed and the door slammed.”
What is onomatopoeia?
The emotional or cultural associations attached to a word. For example, “home” might suggest warmth and safety beyond its literal meaning.
What is connotation?
Subtle hints or clues suggesting future events, such as mentioning a loaded gun early in a story.
What is foreshadowing?
The emotional atmosphere experienced by the reader, created through setting, imagery, and diction.
What is mood?
A seemingly contradictory phrase that creates tension through compressed opposites, such as “Deafening silence"
What is an oxymoron?
“I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
What is a pun?
When an object or image represents a larger abstract idea, such as a dove representing peace.
What is symbolism?
“O Death, where is thy sting?”
What is apostrophe?
“The acrid smoke stung her throat as ash coated her tongue.”
What is imagery?
“The only constant is change.”
What is a paradox?
Informal, conversational language used to create realism in dialogue, such as “Y’all better get going.”
What is colloquialism?
The placement of contrasting ideas or images side by side to highlight difference, such as describing a wedding scene immediately after a funeral.
What is juxtaposition?
saying “let go” instead of “fired.”
What is a euphemism?
“I’ve told you a million times.”
What is hyperbole?
A narrative in which characters and events symbolically represent abstract ideas.
What is an allegory?
Specialized language specific to a profession or group, such as a doctor saying “The patient is presenting with acute myocardial infarction.”
What is jargon?
Referring indirectly to another text, person, or event.
What is an allusion?
A contrast between expectation and reality that produces meaning.
What is irony?
A fixed, oversimplified generalization about a group of people — often reinforced through media portrayals.
What is a stereotype?