21st Century Literature: Inferring Literary Meaning

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terminology and figures of speech covered in the lesson on literal vs. figurative language.

Infer

To form an opinion or guess that something is true based on available information, or to reach a conclusion based on facts or premises.

Literal Language

Language that means exactly what it says without using figurative language, understood as words are defined in a dictionary.

Figurative Language

Language that uses literary devices such as symbolism, figures of speech, and sensory images to convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation.

Figure of Speech

A word or phrase used in a non-literal way to create a special effect, add emphasis, or make language more expressive.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two things.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech involving an exaggeration that stretches the truth.

Personification

A figure of speech that gives human characteristics to non-human things.

Simile

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

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that places two contradictory words together to create a new, layered meaning.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the start of closely connected words.

Paradox

A statement that appears to contradict itself but holds a deeper truth.

Euphemism

A figure of speech that replaces a harsh or uncomfortable word with a gentler, more polite expression.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech that uses a part of something to represent the whole, or vice versa.

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech using words that phonetically imitate the sounds they describe.

Metonymy

A figure of speech that substitutes the name of one thing with the name of something closely related to it.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech where a speaker or writer addresses someone or something that is absent or cannot respond.