Literary Terms to Know

SimileA 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.