Lit Terms Examples for English 10 Honors

Allegory

In this literary work, a group of animals take control of a farm and create their own system of government. Over time, this system becomes corrupt and oppressive, reflecting the historical events that led to the rise of a particular political ideology.(Animal Farm

Allegory

This is a story about a group of people who live in a cave and only see shadows on the wall. They believe that the shadows are the only reality until one person escapes and discovers the true world outside the cave.

Allegory

A story that uses animals to represent political figures and their actions is "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling, where animals such as Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther represent different societal roles and values.

Alliteration

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Alliteration

She sells seashells by the seashore.

Alliteration

Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said this butter's bitter.

Allusion

1. "She was a real Scrooge when it came to spending money."

Allusion

I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinnocchio’s

Allusion

She had a smile that could light up the room, like the Mona Lisa

Antagonist

The Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz"

Antagonist

Darth Vader from Star Wars

Antagonist

Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter

Assonance

1. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Assonance

Men sell the wedding bells

Assonance

I feel depressed and restless

Direct Characterization

1. "She was a kind and generous person, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need."

Direct Characterization

He was a cunning and manipulative businessman, always looking for ways to gain an advantage

Direct Characterization

The old man was grumpy and cantankerous, often yelling at children who played too loudly near his home

Indirect Characterization

Sarah's constant fidgeting and nail-biting revealed her nervous disposition.

Indirect Characterization

Despite his tough exterior, John's gentle treatment of animals showed his compassionate nature.

Indirect Characterization

The way Tom spoke with authority and confidence indicated his leadership skills.

Climax

In "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Frodo and Sam reach the fiery depths of Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring.

Climax

In "Star Wars: A New Hope," Luke Skywalker uses the Force to destroy the Death Star.

Conflict

* The tension between the two characters both fought for the same promotion, arising from competition.

Conflict

the protagonist and the antagonist came to a head during the final battle scene, arising from opposing goals.

Conflict

the moment when the main character had to make a difficult decision that would determine the fate of their loved ones, arising from a moral dilemma.

Crisis

The main character was hit hard by the sudden loss of their job, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.

Crisis

As if that wasn't enough, their partner of 10 years decided to end their relationship, leaving the main character feeling alone and hopeless.

Crisis

With mounting bills and no clear path forward, the main character found themselves in a mess

Denouement

all the loose ends were tied up when the detective revealed the true identity of the murderer and explained the motive behind the crime.

Denouement

the two main characters finally confessed their love for each other and shared a passionate kiss, signaling the resolution of their complicated relationship.

Denouement

the hero defeated the dark lord and restored peace to the kingdom, leading to a celebration among the people and the crowning of the rightful heir to the throne.

Epiphany

During a solitary walk in the woods, the protagonist had a realization about how much time they have left to live, prompting them to reevaluate their priorities and focus on cherishing meaningful relationships.

Epiphany

As the protagonist listened to the old man’s story, they had a realization that revealed the interconnectedness of all beings and inspired a newfound sense of empathy and compassion in them.

Epiphany

After the scientists analyzed his findings, a question arose that led to a groundbreaking discovery, revolutionizing the field and opening up new possibilities for future advancements.

Figure of speech

1. The autumn leaves danced in the wind, their golden hues painting a vibrant tapestry across the landscape.

Figure of speech

1. His words were like a dagger through her heart, piercing deep with their cruel and cutting edge.

Figure of speech

The city skyline stood tall and proud, a sentinel of steel and glass reaching for the heavens

Foil

Ron Weasley from Harry Potter

Foil

Tea Cake from TEWWG

Foil

Mercutio from Shakespeare

Foreshadowing

* Well if you thought that was bad, wait until you hear this

Foreshadowing

* You thank me later for this

Foreshadowing

* Don’t worry, this gets better

Gothic

Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

hyperbole

My feet are killing me

hyperbole

I love you to the moon and back

hyperbole

I’ve already told you this a million times

Verbal Irony

* Good For You by Oliva Rodrigo

Verbal Irony

* I’m so glad the professor moved up the deadline for our essays; I was hoping I’d have too much work to go to that party this weekend

Verbal Irony

* It’s so delightful to be home with a sick child twice in one week

Dramatic Irony

* Snow White’s stepmother is evil and has poisoned an apple with which to kill her. Thus, when Snow White’s stepmother disguises herself and gives Snow White the apple we try vainly to warn Snow White, knowing what will happen when she bites into the apple.

Dramatic Irony

* Titanic: At some point before the ship hits the fateful iceberg, a character in James Cameron’s film remarks, “It’s so beautiful, I could just die.” 

Situational Irony

* In an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, bullets bounced off Reagan’s bullet-proof car and hit Reagan, wounding him.

Situational Irony

* Chinese alchemists who were trying to create something that would create immortality instead created gunpowder.

Situational Irony

* Ratatouille - the idea of there being a rat in the kitchen is disgusting to most people but here Disney has cleverly cast him as the chef.  

Litotes

* He’s not the friendliest person.

Litotes

His grades aren’t excellent

Litotes

It wasn’t a terrible trip

Metaphor

It was raining cats and dogs

Metaphor

A watched pot never boils

Metaphor

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Motif

* And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, **I still have a dream**. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

**I have a dream** that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

**I have a dream** that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

Novel

a short work of fiction

Novel

TEWWG, Unwind, and Animal Farm

Onomatopoeia

* pow, bonk, bark, boom, splat

Oxymoron

* “I am a deeply superficial person.” – Andy Warhol

Oxymoron

* “We must believe in free will. We have no choice.” – Isaac B. Singer

Oxymoron

* “It’s a step forward although there was no progress.” – President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

Paradox

* “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” -Gandhi

Paradox

* “I know one thing: that I know nothing.” -Socrates (via Plato)

Paradox

* “Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.” -Albert Einstein

Personification

“The sun smiled down on us.”

Personification

* 'The story jumped off the page.”

Personification

* “The light danced on the surface of the water.”

Plot

* Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling action → resolution

First Person

I stood at the edge of the cliff, my heart pounding against my chest. The wind whipped through my hair, mingling with the rush of adrenaline surging through my veins. Thoughts of doubt and fear crept into my mind, but I pushed them aside. I had come too far to turn back now. With a deep breath, I took a leap of faith into the unknown, trusting that the parachute strapped to my back would open and carry me safely to the ground below.

Third Person Limited

* The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance.

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Third Person Omnicient

At the edge of the cliff, the figure stood, a mix of anticipation and trepidation pulsing through their veins. The wind tousled their hair, as if in a playful dance. Internally, doubts and fears clashed with determination, a battle fought within the confines of their mind. But the decision had been made, and with resolute conviction, they launched themselves off the precipice. Little did they know, their leap of faith would be met with a surge of adrenaline and the embrace of the parachute that had been carefully fastened, ready to unfurl and guide them to the safety that awaited below.

Protagonist

The Joker in Joker: The Movie

Protagonist

Tony Stark in Iron Man

Protagonist

Harry Potter in the Harry Potter Series

Pun

* Mine is a long and a sad tale!' said the Mouse, turning to Alice, and sighing. 'It is a long tail, certainly,'

Pun

* I told my math teacher that I'd love to learn about geometry, but she said it's pointless.

Pun

1. I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough, so I decided to rise to the occasion and become a comedian instead.

Rhyme

* | do not like green eggs and ham \n | do not like them Sam l am \n | do not lihe them in a boat \n | do not lihe them with a goat \n | do not like them in a house \n | do not like them with a mouse

Rhythm

In Xanadu did Kubla Kahn,   

A stately pleasure dome decree

Where Alph, the sacred river ran

In caverns measureless to man

Down to a sunless sea

Satire

1. The latest "revolutionary" diet trend promised to melt away pounds in no time, conveniently neglecting to mention the side effects of constant hunger, deprivation, and an overwhelming desire to devour an entire pizza in one sitting.

Satire

1. The extravagant celebrity wedding, complete with a diamond-encrusted cake and gold-plated cutlery, served as a shining example of how love can be measured in dollars and senseless excess.

Satire

1. As the politician stood on the podium, delivering promises with a perfectly rehearsed smile, it became clear that truth and integrity had taken an extended vacation from the realm of politics.

Setting

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the quaint seaside town. Colorful fishing boats bobbed in the harbor, while seagulls swooped and called overhead

Setting

The ancient castle stood atop a mist-covered hill, its weathered stone walls hinting at centuries of history. A dense forest surrounded the fortress, with towering trees

Setting

In the bustling metropolis, towering skyscrapers pierced the sky, their glass facades reflecting the city's vibrant energy. Neon lights illuminated the streets below, as a sea of people hurried along sidewalks

Simile

* Promises are like pie crust, meant to be broken

Simile

1. The summer heat clung to him like a heavy blanket, suffocating and relentless.

Simile

1. Her laughter filled the room like a chorus of songbirds, melodic and infectious.

Symbol

Wedding rings and engagement rings

Symbol

The five Olympic rings

Symbol

McDonalds Yellow Arches

Thesis

1. "The advancements in artificial intelligence have transformed various industries, revolutionizing the way we work, communicate, and interact with technology."