Terms to Know

IRONY

Irony

Verbal Dramatic Irony of Situation

1. Verbal irony: saying the opposite of what one means

2. Dramatic irony: possession by the audience of knowledge which the character does not have

3. Irony of situation: discrepancy between what one anticipates and what actually comes to pass

SYMBOLISMA character, an action, a setting, or an

object representing something else can

be a symbol.  Most often, the symbol in a

story is an object that represents its owner’s

character or situation, or both. Something

that on the surface is its literal self but

which also has another meaning or even

several meanings.

SYMBOLS

Peace Love Courage

FLASHBACK

This is a writers’ technique in which the

author interrupts the plot of the story to

recreate an incident of an earlier time (goes

back in time; giving the reader a

memory).  This device is often used to

provide additional information to the reader.

FORESHADOWING

This is a writers’ technique in which the

author provides clues or hints as to what is

going to happen later in the story.  It’s like

the music in a scary movie when we know

that something bad is about to happen.

SUSPENSE

Suspense is a feeling of anticipation,

uncertainty, and anxiety about the outcome

of certain actions.

ALLUSION

A significant reference, direct or indirect, to a

work of literature, music, or art, as well as a

historical event, person, or place.

Examples of an allusion

He has the strength of Hercules.

He has the speed of Superman.

ONOMATOPOEIA

Onomatopoeia refers to

words whose sound

is suggestive of its

meaning.

Sizzle. Boom! Buzz.

SIMILE

A simile is the comparison of two unlike

things using the word 'like' or 'as'

Last night Bob slept like a log.

METAPHOR

A metaphor is like a simile. That is because it is a comparison that is made between things, which is not always likely or obvious.

However, the explicit use of the word 'like' or 'as' which you see in a simile, is not used in a metaphor which is rather a comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be".

Examples of a metaphor

The inside of the car was a

refrigerator.

Life is a roller coaster.

HYPERBOLE

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses

an exaggerated or extravagant statement to

create a strong emotional response. As a

figure of speech it is not intended to be

taken literally. Hyperbole is frequently used

for humour.

Examples of hyperboleHe's got tons of money.

Her brain is the size of a pea.

I will die if she asks me to dance.

She is as big as an elephant!

I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

I have told you a million times not to lie!

IMAGERY

It is imagery that allows readers to involve their senses while reading. Your mind creates images (pictures) in your head = your mind’s eye. Your mind can also be reminded of sounds, touch, movement, smells, and tastes.

Imagery is the mental picture or pictures that a writer creates. In fiction, imagery can involve any and all of the senses, and can have important symbolic value.

ASK YOURSELF

What do you see while reading this story?

What sounds do you hear?

Is there anything to smell or taste?

What do the surfaces feel like?

Can you reach out and touch something?

Visual imagery: A dim light, a dirty rag, a

golden daffodil

Auditory imagery: A pounding surf, a

screeching siren

Tactile imagery: A scratchy beard, an ice-

cold hand

Kinesthetic imagery: A ladder swaying

Olfactory imagery: The scent of apple

blossoms, mint-fresh breath

Gustatory imagery: The bitter tang of lime,

coffee tinged with vanilla