Figurative Language

Alliteration

The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.

Allusion

A quick reference an author makes about a well-known person, place, event, song, or work of art. Example: Don't act like a Romeo in front of her.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things by stating that one thing is another. Example: Time is a thief.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist; The 'villain.' Example: Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series.

Assonance

The repetition of a vowel sound in non-rhyming words. Example: The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Connotation

The emotional, cultural or hidden feeling a word brings to mind, beyond its lexact dictionary definition. Example: The word 'home' connotes warmth and comfort.

Denotation

The literal or exact dictionary definition of a word. Example: The denotation of 'snake' is a limbless reptile.

Foreshadowing

A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Example: A sudden, dark storm foreshadows a tragic event.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration of an idea for the sake of emphasis. Example: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

Imagery

Descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the five senses. Example: 'The goldenrod danced in the gentle breeze.'

Indirect Characterization

The process by which a character's personality is revealed through their actions, speech, and others' opinions. Example: 'He stomped out of the room.'

Verbal Irony

When a person says one thing but, they mean the exact opposite. Example: “Great weather we’re having” during a terrible storm.

Personification

Giving human qualities or actions to objects or animals. Example: 'The wind howled its lonely song.'

Protagonist

The main character in a story. Example: Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.

Pun

A play on words that have similar sounds but different meanings. Example: 'I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!'

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as.' Example: 'He was as brave as a lion.'

Symbolism

The use of objects or ideas to represent something else. Example: A dove symbolizes peace.

Theme

It is what the story teaches us about people, behavior, or the world. Example: The struggle between good and evil.

Mood

The emotional 'vibe' or atmosphere of a story, how the writing makes the reader feel. Example: A story that evokes sadness.

Situational Irony:

When the exact opposite of what you expect to happen actually happens. Example: A brand-new fire station catches on fire and burns down.

Dramatic Irony:

When the audience or reader knows an important piece of information that the characters in the story do not. Example: In a horror movie, the audience knows the danger of what is about to happen but the main character does not.