GLOSSARY OF LITERARY TERMS
FORESHADOWING
Hints or clues about what will happen in the plot
FLASHBACK
Information is presented about the past to fill in gaps, provide information about
characters, etc. A flashback interrupts the normal sequence of events in the
story to tell about something that happened in the past.
INTERIOR MONOLOGUE
the inner thoughts of a character. Often set off by italics in a story
DRAMATIC IRONY
The reader knows more about a situation or the outcome than a character .
SITUATIONAL IRONY
When the opposite of what you expect happens.
Example: If a fire station burns down
VERBAL RONY
Using a word or phrase to mean the opposite of its normal meaning.
Example: Calling a small house a mansion.
SUSPENSE
is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety about the outcome of certain actions.
Refers to a reader’s reaction. Created by irony, foreshadowing, short sentence,
vivid verbs, leaving information out, etc.
SYMBOL
A person, place, thing or event that is used to represent something else.
The object stands for or represents an idea or concept.
Example: The crucifix represents the suffering and death of Jesus
POETIC OR LITERARY DEVICES
ALLITERATION
is the recurrence of initial consonant sounds ex. What a special sunny day!
ALLUSION
is a reference to a famous person or event. Adds meaning to a story or helps the
reader understand a character’s personality. Ex. He was greedy like Midas.
HYPERBOLE
an exaggeration, making something more than it is for effect
Example: He exploded with anger. He had a thousand excuses for being late.
IMAGERY
When an author creates a picture with words
Example: The bright red balloon drifted through the light blue sky
METAPHOR
An indirect comparison between two unlike things not using like or as
Figurative Language used to suggest a common quality is shared by the two
objects. Example: My dog Cookie is a rat; Heart of stone; I am the bread of life.
ONOMATOPOEIA
a word that sounds like its meaning; the pronunciation imitates the sound the
word describes Example: “Buzz”, “Slam” “Pop”, “Crunch”, “Sizzle”, “Bang”
OXYMORON
a paradox reduced to two words; two contradicting terms coined together to
create meaning ex. Old news; soft rock; act naturally; found missing; butt
head
PATHETIC FALLACY
When the weather reflects the mood of a story or the situation of a character
Example: Rain or cloudy weather during a funeral of a hero
PERSONIFICATION
When an inanimate object (non living thing) or something in nature is given
human qualities or abilities Example: The wind whispered in her ear. The boat
began to crack and moan.
PUN
a play on words that are usually synonyms or homophones or the word
used is out of context
ex. Kath and Mouse – play on a game – Kath toys with Helen like a cat would a
mouse
ex. The man who survived both pepper spray and mustard gas is now well
seasoned
ex. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right
now.
ex. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U C L A.
ex. It was an emotional wedding. Even the cake was in tiers
RHETORICAL QUESTION
Any question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information
the question asks. The answer is already known or implied
Example: “Are you serious?”
SIMILE
A direct comparison between two unlike things using like or as
Figurative language implies there is relationship between the two objects.
Example: My dog Cookie looks like a little rat when she is wet.
UNDERSTATEMENT
Opposite of hyperbole, making something less than it is
Example: The bullet wound is just a scratch