SIMILE
A comparison of two unlike things using ‘like” or ‘as’ She was as pretty as a peach.
ONOMATOPOEIA
Words that imitate sounds The crackling bag crumpled in his fist.
ALLITERATION
The repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words. ( (Poe liked to use this!) “…while I pondered weak and weary” From The Raven
METAPHOR
A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as. War was a beast. From Brother Sam Is Dead
IDIOM
A statement in which the meaning is NOT the same as the literal translation. That test was a piece of cake!
PERSONIFICATION
Giving an inanimate object human characteristics. The shutters on the house winked. From The Westing Game
IMAGERY
Descriptive writing which helps to provide a visual picture for the reader “….a red wheel barow Glazed with rain water Beside the white chickens” From William Carlos Williams
ALLUSION
A reference in literature to famous person, place, or event Visions of championships danced in their heads. From Stargirl (allusion to “T’was the Night Before Christmas”)
HYPERBOLE
An extreme exaggeration I’ve told you a million times!
IRONY
A figure of speech that refers to a difference between the way something appears and what actually is true. Isn’t it ironic that Britain’s largest dog was named Tiny?
MOOD
The overall emotion felt by the reader while reading the text. It is expressed through setting, character actions, and plot events.
CLIMAX
The high point of action in a story- the conflict takes a turn. Sometimes the main character chanes or is forced to change.
EXPOSITION
Beginning of the story where setting and characters are revealed.
RESOLUTION The conflict is resolved and the story brought to a close.
TONE
The author’s attitude toward the topic or subject