Literary Term Definition Examples

Figurative Language Expressions used to illustrate

a point that are not literally
true but express truth beyond
the literal sense.

Rhetoric Persuasive speaking and

writing

Mood The overall emotions a piece

of writing or media invokes.

Tone The author’s attitude towards

a subject.

Metaphor A figure of speech that “He was a deer in headlights

implies a comparison on stage.”
between two unlike things.

Simile A figure of speech that uses “The students roared like

“like” or “as” to compare two mighty lions.”
things.

Hyperbole An exaggeration for “She was so nervous she

emphasis thought she’d die.”

Idiom A word or phrase meaning “Cutting corners never got

something different from its anyone to graduation.”
literal meaning.

Allusion A reference to a person, “He felt like Troy Bolton up on

place or thing. that stage.”

Antithesis A parallel construction that “The last nine weeks before

highlights contrast graduation can make or
break you.”

Verbal Irony (Sarcasm) An expression in which a “Oh, sure, you can totally skip
person says something the pep rally.”
sharply in contrast to what
they actually mean.

Metonymy A figure of speech in which a “We all hailed the Blue and
word that is associated with Silver.”
something is used to
represent that thing.

Asyndeton A stylistic choice in which “We worked, we played, we

conjunctions are intentionally learned.”
 omitted to add emphasis.

Chiasmus A device that balances two or “You’re not hard workers

more clauses against each because you’re Lake Howell
other by the reversal of their students. You’re Lake Howell
structures. students because you’re hard
workers.”