Definitions
When an author describes a scene, thing, or idea so that it appeals to our senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, or hearing) in order to create a vivid mental picture.
Imagery
When an author indirectly hints at—through things such as dialogue, description, or characters’ actions—what’s to come later on in the story.
Foreshadowing
When a word or phrase is written multiple times, usually for the purpose of emphasis
The quilts in Everyday Use are an example of...
Symbolism
In The Canterbury Tales Chaucer uses _________ to criticize the Church and upper classes.
Satire
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Alliteration
The writer or narrator's attitude towards a subject.
Tone
A genre of writing that criticizes something, such as a person, behavior, belief, government, or society. It often employs irony, humor, and hyperbole to make its point.
Satire
The use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other idea in a written work to represent something else.
Symbolism
"What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
Metaphor
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads
in sprightly dance.
Hyperbole
War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength
Irony
When a statement is used to express an opposite meaning than the one literally expressed by it.
Irony
The use of informal language and slang.
Colloquialism
A series of words or phrases that start with the same initial sound.
Alliteration
Whether the windows are open or not, the smell is here. It creeps all over the house. I find it hovering in the dining room.
Personification
"Hey, what’s up, man?"
Colloquialism
I don't care who it is or what you do to them...I'll stand by and watch it. But not room 101
Foreshadowing
A story that is used to represent a more general message about real-life (historical) issues and/or events. It is typically an entire book, novel, play, etc.
Allegory
When a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant.
Euphemism
An exaggerated statement that's not meant to be taken literally by the reader
Hyperbole
The very mystery of him excited her curiosity like a door that had neither lock nor key.
Simile
you fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
Juxtaposition
The scientist was insanely logical.
Oxymoron
A combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning.
Oxymoron
A reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work or work of art.
Allusion
When a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple sentences throughout a piece of writing.
Anaphora
James Baldwin's poem Guilt, Love, and Desire is an example of _____________
Allegory
I’m so sorry to inform you that your husband didn't make it through the accident.
Euphemism
Milo nibbled carefully at the letter and discovered that it was quite and delicious– just the way you’d expect an A to taste.
Synesthesia