Alliteration
When the beginning sounds of words are the same
Allusion
A figure of speech that refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object in order to make a comparison in the readers' minds. However, an allusion does not describe what it refers to in detail.
Assonance
Also called vowel rhyme. When the middle of words sound alike
Characterization (direct)
When the writer tells you something about a character directly: He is strong.
Characterization (indirect)
When the writer provides clues for the reader about a character, but doesn't say something outright: "She doth teach the torches to burn bright!
Classical allusion
A classical allusion is a reference to a particular event or character in classical works of literature, such as ancient Roman or Greek myth, or the Bible. This type of allusion can be made to a particular work, usually a famous work such as the plays. Ho
Connotation
The feeling a reader has about a word. Cloudy vs. stormy.
Denotation
The literal definition of a word.
Diction
The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Extended metaphor
An extended metaphor is when an author uses a metaphor throughout a long passage or even an entire poem. An author would use an extended metaphor to create a clearer comparison between the two items.
Hyperbole
Exaggerated claims or statements not meant to be taken literally.
Imagery
Descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the senses.
Irony (verbal)
When a person (or character) intentionally says or writes one thing and means another.
Irony (dramatic)
A literary technique in which the actions or words of a character are clear to the audience or reader, but unknown to the character.
Irony (situational)
When the actions of a character have the opposite effect than in intended, so the outcome is contrary to what is expected.
Mood
Atmosphere of a literary work that create an emotional situation around the reader.
Motif
A recurring idea in a literary work that helps define the theme.
Nuance
A subtle or slight degree of difference.
Onomatopoeia
Words whose pronunciations imitate the actual sound that is being described.
Parallelism
A grammatical structure in which parts of the text are similar in construction.
Parody
A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature.
Repetition
When the same grammatical construction is used in the text for effect.
Speaker
In poetry, the voice behind the poem - the person we imagine to be saying the poem aloud. Think of the speaker as a "character" to be analyzed, thought about, and discovered.
Stanza
A grouped set of lines within a poem, usually set off from other lines by blank space or indentation.
Style
Describes the ways that the author uses words - the author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.
Theme
A theme is the central topic a text treats. Themes can be divided into two categories: a work's thematic concept is what readers "thin the work is about" and its thematic statement being "what the work says about the subject.
Tone
The attitude of a writer towards a subject or an audience.
Voice
The individual writing style of an author, a combination of that author's usage of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or across several works).
Allegory
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political meaning.
Archetype
An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned.
Comic relief
The inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.
Cultural bias
Interpreting and judging a text by standards inherent to one's own culture.
Cultural value
Ideas and attitudes presented by the author in literature to offer insight into the beliefs and traditions of different cultures.
Epic
A long narrative poem covering cast geographical areas and often written about a hero or heroines.
Epic hero
A brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events.
Legend
A non-historical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical.
Parable
A short story that is meant to teach a moral or principal. Parables use human characters in believable situations so that the reader feels able to relate.
Quest
A difficult journey towards a goal, often symbolic or allegorical.
Romance
A narration of the extraordinary deeds of heroes, often in exotic or mysterious settings. Magic and mystery are necessary elements for the classical romance.
Satire
A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule.