Figurative Language Terms

Alliteration: The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence.

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

Analogy: A comparison between two different things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist; the "villain."

Apostrophe: A figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing.

Assonance: The repetition of a vowel sound in non-rhyming words.

Connotation: The emotional or cultural association a word carries, beyond its literal definition.

Denotation: The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

Dialect: The language used by the people of a specific area, class, or group, often including unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Diction: A writer's choice of words, which contributes to the tone and style of a literary work.

Extended Metaphor: A metaphor that is developed over several lines or throughout an entire literary work. Unlike a regular metaphor, it continues the comparison in multiple ways.

Foil: A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

Foreshadowing: A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.

Hyperbole: An exaggeration of an idea for the sake of emphasis.

Imagery: The descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to create a vivid experience for the reader. By using imagery, authors enhance their writing, helping readers to visualize, feel, and understand the text on a deeper, more emotional level. There are several types of imagery, including: visual (sight), auditory (sound), gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), and tactile (touch)

Indirect Characterization: The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, and what other characters say about them.

Irony: A contrast or incongruity between expectations and reality.

Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Situational Irony: When the opposite of what is expected to happen, happens.

Verbal Irony: When what is said is the opposite of what is meant (often sarcasm).

Juxtaposition: The placement of two or more things side-by-side, often to compare or contrast them.

Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."

Motif: A recurring element, idea, or image in a work of literature.

Paradox: A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth.

Personification: Giving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or animals.

Protagonist: The main character in a story.

Pun: A play on words that have similar sounds but different meanings.

Repetition: The repeating of a word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis or to create a rhythm.

Satire: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Symbolism: The use of objects or ideas to represent something else.

Syntax: The way words are arranged to form sentences and phrases.

Theme: The central, underlying message or idea of a literary work.

Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject, characters, or audience, as conveyed through their word choice and style.