Literary terms

Allegory

When the characters or settings of a literary work represent general concepts , more qualities, political or religious beliefs, real persons from history, etc.

Allusion

A brief reference, either explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event from real life/history, or to other tests, which may occur in any part of a work.

Ambiguity

Use of a word, expression or idea to signify multiple things; to express diverse and even contradictory aspects at the same. (Ex. Don’t know if a character dies or not)

Analogy

Extended comparison based on a partial resemblance between two different things. (Ex. Comparison between a nation and a beehive)

Conceit

A complex metaphor which is usually part of a larger pattern of imagery that combines objects and concepts in unconventional ways.

Didactic

Any text which teaches or instructs is called didactic

Foreshadowing

A hint or sign suggesting something that will happen later in the text.

Imagery

Descriptions or figures of speech that create mental sensations in readers’ mind.

Metaphor

An implicit comparison without using like or as; for example, “You are the sunshine of my life.”

Metonymy

Sets up a relationship or makes use of a relationship between two things such that one thing can stand for another.

Motif

Virtually a repeated unit, such as a recurring them, image, verbal pattern, character type, etc. (Ex. Water can reinforce a central them of change and transformation)

Paradigm

A poignant example that served as an effective model; characters CANNOT be symbols; they are paradigms, such as good or evil.

Hyperbole

An overstatement high is an extreme exaggeration of fact to make one’s point; for example, “I’m going insane from do much homework.”