Literary Terms to Know

A comparison using like, as or than. Simile A comparison using like, as or than. Example: Her smile is like the sun.

Metaphor A direct comparison that does not use “like” or “as” Example: English class is a day at the beach.

Personification Giving human characteristics to a non-living thing. Example: The pen danced across the page.

Symbol A person, place, thing or an event that has meaning in itself and stands for something beyond itself Example: In the novel Heartbeat, Annie’s apple represents the circle of life.

Alliteration The repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a phrase. Example: Sally sold sea shells at the sea shore.

Onomatopoeia Words that imitate sound Example: buzz, pow, boom

Oxymoron A figure of speech where opposite ideas are combined. Example: jumbo shrimp, fresh frozen vegetables

Theme The message about life that a work of literature reveals. Example: In Heartbeat, the theme is the circle of life.

Irony A contrast between what is expected and what is reality Example: The fireman’s house burnt down.

Hyperbole An exaggeration for effect Example: I have a million pairs of shoes.