figurative language

Allegory

literary work that portrays abstract ideas concretely

Alliteration

repetition of same consonant sounds in a sequence of words or syllables

Allusion

reference to another work of literature art or history

Hyperbole

exaggeration used for emphasis to produce a comic or ironic effect

Imagery

description of how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, or sounds

Juxtaposition

comparing and contrasting two things to produce irony

Metaphor

figure of speech that compares two things without using “like” or “as”

Simile

figure of speech that compares two things using “like” or “as”

Motif

recurring pattern of images, words, symbols, character types, subjects, or narrative details that reveal a theme

Paradox

statement that seems contradictory but is not

Oxymoron

paradox made of two contradicting words

Personification

figure of speech where an animal of inanimate object is given human qualities

Symbol

setting, object, or event in a story that carries more than a literal meaning and represents something significant

Theme

underlying issue of idea of a work

Tone

speakers attitude of stance exposed through stylistic choices

Understatement

the presentation of something as less important than it actually is