Literary TermsMetaphor- A metaphor is a ___________________ between two objects or ideas. The comparison is conveyed by the use of a metaphorical word in place of some __________ word. Think: a comparison ___________ using “like” or “as.”

Ex: "Her eyes were glistening jewels.”

Simile- A simile is a figure of _____________ comparing two ______________things, often introduced with the words "like" or "as.”

Ex: "He sounded like a broken record."

Conflict- ________________ (Man vs. self) OR ___________________ (Man vs. society/supernatural/nature/man).

Theme- the ______________ and author’s _____________; a message about the topic. Ex.: In Titanic- Love is everlasting. Ex.: In A Midsummer Night’s Dream- Love is complicated and chaotic.

Symbol- A character, an _____________, a setting, or an object that _____________________ something else. This is said to be a symbol or have _________________ meaning.

Ex. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hippolyta and Theseus represent order and stability.

Irony- incongruity (or a _________________/lack of connection) between what might be ________________ and what actually occurs.

Ex. An ambulance driver rushes to the scene of an accident, only to run the victim over.Dramatic Irony- a________________effect in which the meaning of a _______________ is understood by the audience, but not by the characters in the play.

Ex. In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive but unconscious from the potion, but Romeo thinks she’s dead.

Personification- The act of attributing ___________characteristics to abstract ideas or _______________ objects.

Ex. A “babbling brook,” Nintendo Game Boy, or Mr. Clean.

Alliteration- The repetition of ____________ sounds in neighbouring words.Ex. The lady lounges lazily.

Imagery- Language that evokes one or all of the ______ senses (sight, ___________, touch, hear, smell).

Ex. Her eyelashes were coated in mascara and looked like the ________ of a hairy spider that brushed against my cheek, sending an icy chill up my ___________.

Oxymoron- Putting two ___________________ words together.Ex. Jumbo shrimp, ____________ sorrow, working vacation.

Connotation- An idea or ____________ that a word invokes for a person in addition to its _________ or primary meaning.

Ex. Slim, scrawny, svelte each have different connotations or meanings.

Denotation- The literal or ______________ meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

Ex. Slim, scrawny, and svelte all literally mean “thin.”

Figurative Language- Language that communicates ________ beyond the ordinary or ___________meaning of the words.

Ex. Allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, ___________, and paradox are all examples of __________________language.

Foreshadow- use of indicative words/phrases and ___________that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without _______________the story or spoiling the suspense.

Ex. Romeo has a dream/bad feeling that something major is going to happen before going into the _________________ party.

Hyperbole- words and phrases that _______________ and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and ______________stress a specific point.

Ex. I’m so _______________ I could eat a horse!

Rhetoric- The art of ______________ or persuasive speaking or writing.Ex. Rhetorical questions are _______________ to persuade but not to be answered such as “If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why__________________?”

Literary Terms- AnswersMetaphor- A metaphor is a COMPARISON between two objects or ideas. The comparison is conveyed by the use of a metaphorical word in place of some OTHER word. Think: a comparison NOT using “like” or “as.”

Ex: "Her eyes were glistening jewels.”

Simile- A simile is a figure of SPEECH comparing two UNLIKE things, often introduced with the words "like" or "as.”

Ex: "He sounded like a broken record."

Conflict- INTERNAL (Man vs. self) OR EXTERNAL (Man vs. society/supernatural/nature/man).

Theme- the TOPIC and author’s VIEW; a message about the topic. Ex.: In Titanic- Love is everlasting. Ex.: In A Midsummer Night’s Dream- Love is complicated and chaotic.

Symbol- A character, an ACTION, a setting, or an object that REPRESENTS something else. This is said to be a symbol or have SYMBOLIC meaning.

Ex. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hippolyta and Theseus represent order and stability.

Irony- incongruity (or a DIFFERENCE/lack of connection) between what might be EXPECTED and what actually occurs.

Ex. An ambulance driver rushes to the scene of an accident, only to run the victim over.

Dramatic Irony- a THEATRICAL effect in which the meaning of a SITUATION is understood by the audience, but not by the characters in the play.

Ex. In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive but unconscious from the potion, but Romeo thinks she’s dead.

Personification- The act of attributing HUMAN characteristics to abstract ideas or INANIMATE objects

Ex. A “babbling brook,” Nintendo Game Boy, or Mr. Clean.

Alliteration- The repetition of INITIAL sounds in neighbouring words.Ex. The lady lounges lazily.

Imagery- Language that evokes one or all of the 5 senses (sight, TASTE, touch, hear, smell).Ex. Her eyelashes were coated in mascara and looked like the LEGS of a hairy spider that brushed against my cheek, sending an icy chill up my SPINE.

Oxymoron- Putting two CONTRADICTORY words together.

Ex. Jumbo shrimp, SWEET sorrow, working vacation.

Connotation- An idea or FEELING that a word invokes for a person in addition to its LITERAL or primary meaning

Ex. Slim, scrawny, svelte each have different connotations or meanings.

Denotation- The literal or PRIMARY meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

Ex. Slim, scrawny, and svelte all literally mean “thin.”

Figurative Language- Language that communicates IDEAS beyond the ordinary or LITERAL meaning of the words.

Ex. Allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, OXYMORON, and paradox are all examples of FIGURATIVE language.

Foreshadow- use of indicative words/phrases and HINTS that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without REVEALING the story or spoiling the suspense.

Ex. Romeo has a dream/bad feeling that something major is going to happen before going into the CAPULET party.

Hyperbole- words and phrases that EXAGGERATE and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and OVERLY stress a specific point.

Ex. I’m so HUNGRY I could eat a horse!

Rhetoric- The art of EFFECTIVE or persuasive speaking or writing.Ex. Rhetorical questions are INTENDED to persuade but not to be answered such as “If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why PRACTICE?”