Literary Elements

Allusion a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature Example: He is as stubborn as Icarus— learning his lesson the hard way

Motif a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature Example: In the Chronicles Of Narnia, we see the motif of light and dark (the coldness of the Snow Queen)

Irony a literary term referring to how a person, situation, statement, or circumstance is not as it would actually seem Example: “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” (since it is made of paper, money really does grow on trees)

Symbolism a symbol is a word or object that stands for another word or object Example: In The Lord of the Rings, the “ring” stands for hope/victory/success.

Contrast a contrast shows the differences between two thing Example: An “evil” character vs. a “good” character

Foreshadowing clues put in a text to alert the reader of what might happen in the plot next. Example: “The clouds became dark grey and the thundered roared.” (a storm is coming)

Paradox An incongruous statement, idea or situation (contradictory) Example: Lennie Small is a big man.