Essential Literary Terms

alliteration

repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of 2 or more neighboring words

allusion

a passing reference, without explicit identification, to a literary or historical person/place/event, or literary work

anachronism

a thing belonging to a different time period (esp. something that is conspicuously old fashioned)

analogy

comparing similarities

metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

simile

a metaphor/analogy that uses like/as

anaphora

parallel structure starting with the same words

anecdote

Offering a brief narrative episode

aphorism

a pithy and pointed statement of a serious maxim, opinion, or general truth

cliché

a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought; trite; overly familiar

connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

denotation

dictionary definition; objective meaning; literal meaning taken at surface value

diction

Refers to the author's word choice

ellipsis

When one or more words are omitted from a sentence

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language

induction

the process that moves from a given series of specifics to a generalization

deduction

the process of moving from a general rule to a specific example

irony

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite of what the writer intends to achieve a humorous effect or to add emphasis.

parallelism

repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence

shift

When speakers or writers alter their style or tone in a piece

syllogism

A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion

syntax

The way sentences are grammatically constructed

verisimilitude

the appearance of being true or real