Glossary of Literary Terms

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards defining key literary terms from the Scholastic Scope glossary handout.

alliteration

When two or more words in a group of words begin with the same sound (usually, the same letter or group of letters).

aside

Words spoken to the audience by a character in a drama that are not supposed to be heard by the other characters onstage.

figurative language

Uses words in some way other than for their literal meanings to make a comparison, add emphasis, or say something in a fresh and creative way.

flashback

A scene in a story that occurred before the present time in the story, providing background information about events happening during the current narration.

foreshadowing

Clues or hints about something that is going to happen later in the story, used to build suspense and prepare the reader.

hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect; an extravagant statement that is not meant to be taken literally.

idiom

An expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words.

imagery

Language that portrays sensory experiences, or experiences of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

irony

A sharp difference between what you expect to happen and what actually happens.There are three types.

metaphor

The comparison of two unlike things to illuminate a particular quality or aspect of one of those things, stating that one thing is something else without using the words 'like' or 'as'.

mood

The feeling or atmosphere the reader gets from a work of literature.

onomatopoeia

The use of words whose sounds imitate the sounds of what they describe.

personification

Describing nonhuman animals, objects, or ideas as though they possess human qualities or emotions.

symbol

An object, setting, event, animal, or person that on one level is itself, but that has another meaning as well.

symbolism

The practice of using symbols.

tone

The author's attitude toward the subject matter or toward the reader or audience.

Dramatic Irony

when the reader or audience is aware of something the characters are not aware of, creating tension and humor.

Situational Irony

when something happens that is the reverse of what was expected

Verbal Irony

when the name or description of something implies the opposite of the truth.

Simile

When two unlike things are compared—using like or as—in order to illuminate a particular quality or aspect of one of those things.