1. Allusion- an indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
2. Alter-ego-A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author speaks directly to the audience through a character
3. Didactic- A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
4. Euphemism-A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.
5. Idiom- A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
6. Metonymy -– Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept
7. Style -The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes
8. Symbol-Anything that represents or stands for something else
9. Foreshadowing-When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story
10. Verbal Irony-When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.
11. Dramatic Irony- When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the character doesn't and would be surprised to find out
12. Situational Irony- Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie. Sometimes it makes you laugh because it's funny how things turn out.
13. Juxtaposition -Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison. Authors often use juxtaposition of ideas or examples in order to make a point.
14. Mood-The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction)
15. Oxymoron-When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox