Literary Terms & Techniques

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating one is the other.

Simile

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

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Irony

A literary technique where the intended meaning is opposite to the actual meaning.

Verbal Irony

Saying one thing but meaning another.

Situational Irony

When the opposite of what you expect to happen occurs.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Themes

The central ideas or messages in a literary work.

Narrative Styles

The method used by an author to tell a story.

First-Person Narration

The narrator is a character in the story and uses "I" or "we."

Third-Person Limited Narration

The narrator is outside the story and knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.

Third-Person Omniscient Narration

The narrator knows everything about all characters and events.

Collective Noun

A noun that represents a group of individuals or things as a single entity.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The grammatical rule that the subject and verb must agree in number.

Apostrophe

A punctuation mark used to indicate possession or the omission of letters.