IB English A Literature: Literary Elements

Allegory

A narrative that uses symbolic figures, events, and imagery to convey moral, philosophical, or political meanings, often presenting a deeper message beyond the literal interpretation.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words, often used to create rhythm or emphasis.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words, used to enhance musicality and create internal rhyme.

Allusion

A figure of speech that references a person, place, event, or literary work, often conveying deeper meaning through its implicit connections.

Anaphora

The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences, often used for emphasis and rhetorical effect.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of closely placed words, contributing to the poem's rhythm and mood.

Epigraph

A short quotation or passage taken from a larger work, often placed at the beginning of a text to suggest its theme or set the tone.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that may be considered harsh or unpleasant.

Flashback

A literary device that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to provide background information or context about a character or event.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Hyperbole

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

Imagery

A literary device that uses vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures and evoke sensory experiences for the reader.

Situational Irony

A situation in which the outcome is significantly different from what was expected, often contrary to the intended meaning.

Dramatic Irony

A literary technique where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, leading to contrasts between the character's understanding and the reality.

Juxtaposition

A literary technique that contrasts two or more ideas, characters, or elements to highlight their differences and create a deeper understanding of the themes or the narrative.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, suggesting that one is the other to illustrate a point or create meaning.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as" to highlight similarities between them.

Onomatopoeia

A literary device in which a word imitates the natural sound of a thing, creating a sensory experience for the reader.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction, creating a unique expression or highlighting a paradox.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory or self-refuting but may reveal a deeper truth, often used to provoke thought or illustrate complex ideas.

Personification

A literary device that attributes human characteristics or qualities to non-human entities or abstract concepts, enhancing the reader's connection to the subject.

Repetition

A literary device that involves the intentional use of the same word or phrase multiple times throughout a text to create emphasis, rhythm, or thematic significance.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, adding depth and meaning to a narrative by linking tangible objects or images with abstract concepts.

Tone

The attitude or emotional quality conveyed by an author through word choice and stylistic elements, influencing how readers perceive the narrative or characters.