Literary Terms

A reference within a work to something famous outside it, such as a well-known person, place, event, story, or work of art, literature, music, pop culture.

• Mood

• Theme

• Personification

• Allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.

• Theme

• Symbolism

• Connotation

• Metaphor

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

A person, place, object, or action that stands for something beyond itself.

• Mood

• Symbolism

• Diction

• Imagery

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The giving of human qualities to an animal or object.

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Euphemism

• Personification

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

A comparison between two things that have something in common without using like or as.

• Simile

• Diction

• Idiom

• Metaphor

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

Words and phrases that appeal to readers five senses.

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

• Conflict

• Simile

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

A comparison of two things that have some quality in common; includes like or as.

• Hyperbole

• Symbolism

• Theme

• Simile

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

• Alliteration

• Diction

• Metaphor

• Simile

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (tongue twisters).

• Connotation

• Denotation

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

The use of words whose sound suggest their meaning (ex. buzz, hiss, pop).

• Onomatopoeia

• Connotation

• Metaphor

• Characterization

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.5.3