Literary Terms You Should Know In your R/WJ, using the above title, write each term, its definition and one example.
Figurative Language a tool a writer uses to help the reader visualize what is happening in a piece of writing
Simile a comparison between two unlike things using the words like, as or than -The sun is like a yellow ball of fire in the sky. - Her feet were bigger than boats. - They fought like cats and dogs.
Metaphor a comparison between two unlike things without using the words like, as, or than; when one thing is the other thing - Her home was a prison. - His hair is straw. - George is a sheep.
Hyperbole the use of a big exaggeration to make a point or for effect. - He has tons of money. - Her brain is the size of a pea. - I’ve told you a million times to capitalize people’s names.
Idioms expressions that usually cannot be understood by defining the separate words - I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. - That test was a piece of cake. - Something fishy is going on around here!
Allusion a reference to something from literature, history, or culture to express a point. - Christy didn't like to spend money, but she was no Scrooge. - The cinnamon rolls were huge and golden brown, reminiscent of the twisted buns on the sides of Princess Leia's head. - I am afraid of spiders, but I'm no cowardly lion!
Personification giving human qualities to non-human objects - The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell. - The car engine coughed and sputtered as it started. - The microwave timer told me my pizza was ready.
Alliteration repetition of an initial consonant sound; there should be at least two repetitions in a row - The wooly walrus wonders when we’ll walkby. - Sally sells seashells by the seashore. - Peter Piper picks pickled peppers.
Analogy comparison that points out the resemblance between two seemingly dissimilar things Trying to understand a genius is like trying to get to the core of an onion. There are just so many layers to peel away, and at times, the subject is so sharp and biting, your eyes fill with tears.
Onomatopoeia when a word sounds like what it represents - splash - drip - smush - splat
Imagery the use of vivid sensory description to create mental pictures. - The room was dark and musty and smelled like an old shoe. - The blueberries were as big as your thumb and tasted like soot. - We heard the horses hoofs clatter on the cobblestone street.
In groups, create a poster for your term. Write the term at the top, create a definition, an illustration, and two examples for each term. Your Literary Term Define (in your own words) Example Illustration