Literary Terms Review

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.

Archetype

In literature, an archetype is a typical character, action, or a situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature. An archetype, also known as a universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words.

Idiom

A commonly used expression or saying that means something other than the literal meaning of its words.

Verbal Irony

The use of words to mean something different from what a person actually says or someone says the opposite of what they really feel or mean. Verbal irony is often sarcastic.

Dramatic Irony

It occurs when the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of.

Situational Irony

Occurs when the exact opposite of what is meant to happen, happens or the final outcome is opposite to what the audience is expecting.

Metaphor

A direct comparison made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning.

Oxymoron

A phrase whose words contradict each other with opposite meanings.

Personification

A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human characteristics. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.

Simile

A comparison made between two things with the use of a connective word such as "like" or "as".

Tone

The attitude of the writer towards the subject of the work.

Diction

The stylistic choice and use of words in speech or writing.

Mood

The feelings evoked in the reader based on the author's descriptions.