Literary Terms

Front

1st person point of view

Back

A narrative perspective where the narrator uses 'I' or 'we' and is usually the main character in the story.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

hyperbole

Back

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect (e.g., 'My backpack weighs a ton.').

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

characters

Back

The individuals, animals, or creatures that participate in the action of a story or drama.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

Front

foreshadowing

Back

A literary device that gives hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

allusion

Back

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art, often used to create a connection or context.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.L.7.5A

Front

imagery

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.4.5

Front

simile

Back

A figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., 'as brave as a lion').

Tags

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.L.4.5A

Front

metaphor

Back

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., 'Time is a thief.').

Tags

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.L.4.5A

Front

personification

Back

A literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

Front

theme

Back

The central idea or underlying message of a literary work, often reflecting on human nature or society.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2