literary terms

A reference to a statement, a person, place or event that is known from literature or history. The most common allusions include the Bible, mythology, and Shakespeare.

• Allusion

• Archetype

• Antagonist

• Analogy

The repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of words that are close together

• Aside

• Alliteration

• Cliché

• Anecdote

Helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas. A new idea can be conveyed by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for understanding.

• Alliteration

• Comic Relief

• Allusion

• Analogy

One who has conflict with the protagonist.

• Antagonist

• Epiphany

• Epilogue

• Anecdote

Including a humorous character in a serious work to ease the tension.

• Alliteration

• Foil

• Analogy

• Comic Relief

A short verbal accounting of a funny, amusing, interesting event or incident.

• Aside

• Comic Relief

• Anecdote

• Connotation

A reference to a concept, a person, or an object that has served as a prototype of its kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again.

• Diction

• Aside

• Archetype

• Allusion

An overused phrase that is not original.

• Cliché

• Analogy

• Protagonist

• Archetype

A remark in a play meant for the audience.

• Antagonist

• Euphemism

• Alliteration

• Aside