Writing/literary Elements Flashcards
Allegory
A story in which the characters and actions represent an idea or truth about life
Allegorical names
Symbolic or metaphorical
People, places
Alliteration
Repetition of the first sound of words that are fairly close together. A tongue twister
Example: creamy and crunchy
Allusion
A reference to a well known person, place, thing, or event that the writer assumes the reader knows
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds to set the mood or add to the meaning of the word
“True I do like Sue” “ I see bees in the trees”
Analogy
A comparison of similar objects. And analogy suggest that since the objects are alike in some ways, they will probably be alike in other ways
(The analogy between the heart and a pump)
Anecdote
A brief story used to illustrate or make a point
Antithesis
Exact opposite – in writing usually means using opposite ideas in the same thought or sentence
(We decided to have the bear for supper – before he had us!)
Colloquialism
A common word or phrase that is used when people talk to one another – usually not found informal settings, speeches, right things, etc.
(Y’all, cuz, etc)
Flashback
A technique in which a writer interrupts a story to go back and explain an earlier event
Foreshadowing
Hints or clues that a writer uses to suggest what will happen next in the story
Hyperbole
In extreme exaggeration or overstatement that a writer uses for emphasis
“my shoes are killing me”
Idiot
Words used in a special way that may be different from their literal meaning
(Rush hour traffic moves at a snail pace)
Irony
A technique that used a wording phrase to mean the exact opposite of its normal meaning
(Danielle smiles all the time so we call her grumpy)
Juxtaposition
Putting two ideas, words, or pictures together it create a new, often ironic meaning
(Oh the joys of winter blizzard)
Loaded words
Words that make people feel for or against something – often found in persuasive writing
This new product is AFFORDABLE and EASY to use
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares two things without using the words like or as
Oxymoron
A technique in which two words with opposite meanings are put together for a special effect
Jumbo shrimp, old news, small fortune, bittersweet
Paradox
A statement that’s true even though it seems to be saying two opposite things
(Bitter sweet) deep down you’re really shallow
Parallelism
Repeating similar grammatical structures (words, phrases, or sentences) to give writing rhythm.
(The doctor took her temperature, checked her heartbeat, and tested her reflexes)
Personification
A figure of speech that gives nonhuman things (object or animal) human characteristics
Pun
A phrase that uses words in the way that gives them a funny effect. The words using upon off and sound the same but have different meanings
Simile
A figure of speech that compares two things using the word like or as
Symbolism
A concrete or real object used to represent an idea
A bird can represent freedom, a sword can represent battle
Consonance
The repetition of consonant sounds anywhere within words, not just the beginning
The sailor sings of ropes and things in ships upon the seas
