Literary Terms So Far...

Figurative Language

Metaphor

Direct comparison of two unlike things.

Ex: The man is a pig. Our father is a rock.

Simile

Indirect comparison of two unlike things using like, as, seems, or than.Example: They flew like birds to the party. She is

as mean as a snake.

Personification

Giving human characteristics to an animal or inanimate

object. Ex. “The sea licked greedy

lips in the shadows.”

AnthropomorphismSpecific type of personification

wherein we attempt to understand/translate non-

human behavior/motivations through the human, hence

“anthrop,” lens.Ex. The puppy was crying because he was scared.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration Example: I have told you

a million times what hyperbole is!!!!

Symbol

Something that represents more than

what it is―more than the thing itself. Example: Red

rose=love.

Communion

Whenever an author writes about eating or drinking, he/she is assessing the relationship of characters. If food and drink is shared, the relationship is good. If food and drink are uncomfortable or are refused, the opposite is true.

Allusion

A reference to anything from art, history, mythology, The Bible,

Shakespeare, etc. Example: In “The Most Dangerous

Game” Zaroff's dog who sinks in the quicksand is named for Lazarus from The Bible who was raised from the

dead.

Imagery

Words that are used to help readers experience

something through their senses.

There are several specific types of imagery you should

know...

Imagery Types...

Sight:Visual Imagery Ex. The pool was crystal clear and deep blue with waters calmly rippling.

Imagery Types...

Hearing=aural imageryEx. I knew my mom was really mad when I heard

the SLAM of the door.

Imagery Types...

Touch=Tactile imagery Ex. The bunny’s fur felt like

silk against my hand.

Imagery Types...

Taste=Gustatory imagery Ex. The salt lingered on his lips long after he had eaten

the olives.

Imagery Types...

Smell=Olfactory Imagery Ex:The scent of rotten

eggs wafted through the halls.

Imagery Types...

Thermal Imagery to show us how warm or cold

something is Ex. The blood warm

waters of the Caribbean closed over his head.

Imagery Types...

Kinetic Imagery is used to show us how

something moves. Ex: The boat rocked back and forth and back and

forth and back and forth.

Poetic ApostropheWhen the speaker

addresses someone or something that is not

present.

Ex: “Oh, Elvis. Your words inspire me to

tears!”

Sound Devices...

Alliteration: Repetition of initial sounds.

Example: Mild mannered millionaire, and silly, silly

students.Onomatopoeia:

When a word sounds like what it is. Example: Whack, buzz, tinkle, sizzle, pop, and

ding!

Sound DevicesCacophony—use of harsh or

clashing sounds. Often used in descriptions of war, violence, hate,

etc.

Euphony—use of smooth or flowing sounds. Often used in description

of love, happiness, joy, etc.

Sound Devices...

Dialect—when literature is written, and words are spelled to indicate

how the speech of a region or character sounds.

Such as southern dialect with words like: y’all, fixin’ ta, howdy,

etc.