Lit Lables
A comparison of two dissimilar things, people, etc., using like or as.
simile
A variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region.
Dialect
The point of highest interest in a literary work.
Climax
A major category or type of literature.
Genre
In an opinion essay, the statement that illustrates the writer's main opinion
Claim
A central idea of a work.
Theme
A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
The presentation of material in such a way that the reader is prepared for what is to come later in the work.
Foreshadowing
An expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off.
Cliche'
In an opinion essay, the explanation and illustration of the main opinion.
argument
The use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one or more of the senses.
Imagery
The literal meaning of a word.
Denotation
The insertion of an earlier event into the normal chronological order of a narrative.
Flashback
The feeling a reader gets about a piece of writing in response to the author's tone.
mood
In a research paper, the part of the paper that describes what the reader needs to know before understanding the research.
background
A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.
Allusion
The implied or associative meaning of a word.
A situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives.
A conclusion one draws based on premises or evidence.
Inference
In an opinion essay, the argument that the writer acknowledges as the opposition.
counterargument
A literary work in which characters,objects, or actions represent abstractions.
Allegory
A detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response.
Archetype
A moment of sudden revelation or insight.
Epiphany
A type of irony in which the reader knows something that the character or characters do not.
dramatic irony
A response to a counterargument in a debate or opinion essay.
rebuttal or refutation