Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely placed words.

Alliteration

A reference to a well-known person, event, story, or work of art.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, event, story, or work of art.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.

Climax

The highest point of tension or the turning point in a story.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces in a story.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Hyperbole

: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents.

Oxymoron

Two opposite words placed together.

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as.”

Analogy

A comparison that explains an idea by showing how it is similar to something else.

Allegory

A story with two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic.

Ambiguity

When something has more than one possible meaning.

Archetype

A universal symbol, character type, or pattern found across literature. 

Caesura

A natural pause or break in a line of poetry.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals truth.

Eulogy

A speech or piece of writing that praises someone, usually after their death.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word used instead of a harsh one.

Flashback

A scene that goes back to an earlier time.

Hubris

Excessive pride or arrogance that leads to downfall.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting ideas side by side for effect.

Pun

A play on words with multiple meanings (A boiled egg is hard to beat).

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject (sarcastic, joyful, serious).

Mood

The atmosphere created for the reader (creepy, peaceful).

Motif

A recurring image, word, or symbol that supports the theme.

Satire

Writing that ridicules to expose human flaws (li