Literary Terms

Describes a statement that should be understood in its

most basic, real sense

• Literal

• Figurative

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

Sandra Allen was taller than a house’s

doorframe. (This is literal because it’s true; at

7 feet 7 inches, Allen was about a foot taller

than the average doorframe.)

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Not literal; for example, an exaggeration or a

metaphor

• Literal

• Figurative

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

Usain Bolt is faster than a cheetah. (Bolt is

very fast, but he’s no match for a cheetah.

This statement is figurative because it’s

exaggerating.)

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

The giving of human characteristics (emotions,

behaviors, etc.) to non-human animals, things, or

ideas

• Literal

• Figurative

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

Javier turned the key. The car’s engine

hesitated for a moment, but it finally woke

up. (Hesitating and waking up are human

actions.)

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

An exaggerated statement

• Literal

• Figurative

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

He’s slower than molasses running uphill.

(He may be slow, but there’s no way

anyone is this slow.)

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

An analogy (comparison) that uses “like” or “as”

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Antonym

• Synonym

Answer explanation

She’s as smart as

a computer.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5B

CCSS.L.8.5B

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

An analogy (comparison) that does not use “like” or

“as.” In other words, it is a direct comparison

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Antonym

• Synonym

Answer explanation

His brain is a computer.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

A word that means the opposite of another word

(Note that “-nym” means “name.” You’ll see it in the

two terms below as well)

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Antonym

• Synonym

Answer explanation

An antonym of short is tall.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

A word that means the same thing as another word

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Antonym

• Synonym

Answer explanation

A synonym of friendly is kind.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

A word that has the same spelling or pronunciation as

another word

• Homonym

• Dialect

• Tone

• Mood

Answer explanation

The boating store is having a sale on the sail

I’d like to buy.

You need to write the right way.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

The way in which a person speaks, usually influenced

by where they were raised and the social group or

groups they are part of. Your dialect includes your

vocabulary, grammar, and accent

• Homonym

• Dialect

• Tone

• Mood

Answer explanation

A character with a Great Lakes dialect

would never call a pop “soda.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3