Literary Terms Definitions Examples

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables

One picture puzzle piece Lyin' on the sidewalk, One picture puzzle piece Soakin' in the rain. It might be a button of blue On the coat of the woman Who lived in a shoe. It might be a magical bean, Or a fold in the red Velvet robe of a queen

is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually by employing the words "like" or "as" – also, but less commonly, "if", or "than". A simile differs fromfigure of speech

"I cannot go to school today," Said little Peggy Ann McKay. "I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks.

compares two unlike things by saying that the one thing is the other thing

Fire Fire is a dragon (Better beware), Dangerous and beautiful (Better take care). Puffing out smoke As soon as its lit, Licking up leaves, Crackle and spit!

a reference to a famous person, historical event, work of art, literature, music, etc.

Once there was a tree.... and she loved a little boy. And everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples.

onomatopoeia is produced by a single word that sounds like the thing it refers to

A puff of dust, a screech, a squeak -- The kings jaw opened with a creak. And then in voice so faint and weak -- The first words that they heard him speak Were, How about a peanut-butter sandwich?

Verbal irony: irony in which a person says or writes one thin g and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. (sarcasm)

And all the neighbors moved away, And none of her friends would come to play. And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said, OK, Ill take the garbage out! But then, of course, it was too late... The garbage reached across the state, From New York to the Golden Gate.

Giving a nonliving object life like qualities The tree breathed with relief. The couch sighed when the overweight couple stood up.

And now for the Dancing Pants Doing their fabulous dance. From the seat to the pleat They will bounce to the beat, With no legs inside them And no feet beneath. They'll whirl, and twirl, and jiggle and prance, So just start the music And give them a chance ­ Let's have a big hand for the wonderful, marvelous, Super sensational, utterly fabulous, Talented Dancing Pants