Literary Terms - definitions

Front

Allusion

Back

A reference to a well-known story, movie, historical event, or work of art.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Front

Hyperbole

Back

Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

Pathos

Back

Persuasion that appeals to your emotions.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

Personification

Back

Giving human qualities to an object or abstract idea.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

Metaphor

Back

A comparison of two unlike objects without using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison of two unlike objects using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Allegory

Back

A narrative that uses characters and events to symbolize a deeper moral or political meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

Front

Oxymoron

Back

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

Front

Ethos

Back

Persuasion that appeals to the credibility or character of the speaker.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

Logos

Back

Persuasion that appeals to logic and reason.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5