Lit Element Definitions

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes an comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting they are alike in some way.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

Allusion

A reference to a person, place, event, or literary work, typically to create a deeper meaning or connection.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling evoked in the reader by a piece of literature.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, often used for emphasis or comedic effect.

Situational Irony

A situation where the outcome is opposite to what was expected, often creating a poignant or humorous effect.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create vivid mental pictures.

Motif

A recurrent thematic element or pattern in a literary work that has symbolic significance.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, conveying deeper meanings beyond the literal sense.

Repetition

The deliberate use of the same word, phrase, or sentence multiple times in a text to emphasize a concept or theme.

Personification

A literary device that attributes human qualities and characteristics to non-human entities, animals, or abstract concepts.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words, often used to create rhythm or emphasis in poetry and prose.

Characterization

The method by which an author reveals the personality, traits, and development of a character in a narrative.

Flash Forward

A storytelling technique that jumps ahead in time, revealing events that will occur later in the narrative.

Dramatic Irony

A literary technique where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters in the story, creating tension or humor.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Connotation

The implied or associated meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition, which can evoke emotional responses or associations.

Verbal Irony

A figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning of the words used, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not requiring an answer, often to provoke thought or emphasize a point.

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word by imitating the natural sound associated with it, often used to create expressive effects in literature.

Allegory

A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize broader themes or moral meanings. It conveys deeper abstract ideas through its concrete elements (Ex. Terrible Things)

Full Circle Element

A narrative structure that concludes by revisiting an earlier theme, motif, or situation, providing closure and often highlighting the story's progression.