R&J Literary Terms

Front

aside

Back

A shorter speech that a character says to the audience or self; no other characters hear the speech.

Front

allusion

Back

A reference to a well-known work of art, literature, music, history, or a person.

Front

alliteration

Back

Repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Front

conceit

Back

An elaborate and surprising comparison between two unlike things.

Front

hyperbole

Back

An extreme exaggeration.

Front

soliloquy

Back

A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud, typically alone on stage.

Front

metaphor

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

simile

Back

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

oxymoron

Back

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Front

paradox

Back

A statement that contradicts itself but may reveal a deeper truth.