Flashcards › ELA Literary Terms

Figurative Language The use of “figures of speech” to describe actions or ideas in new and interesting ways. Simile A comparison of two unlike things, using “like” or “as.” Metaphor A direct comparison of two unlike things. Imagery The use of vivid language that appeals to the five senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch). Foreshadowing A hint of what might happen later on in a story. Symbolism Using a symbol to represent some other concept or object. Tone The author’s attitude toward a subject, or the overall mood throughout a passage. Theme The main underlying idea throughout a passage. Setting The time and place where a story happens. Irony Words that express something different from (and often opposite to) the literal meaning of those words. Genre A particular type of story, or how a story could be classified. Dialogue A back-and-forth conversation between two characters. Dramatic Monologue A longer speech where a character explains how he or she feels, what his or her motivations were, etc. Soliloquy A speech delivered by a character who is alone onstage in a play. Aside A line of dialogue, intended for the audience, that the audience hears but the other characters onstage do not. Foil A secondary character who brings out certain traits in a main character. Stanza A group of verses that stands alone (similar to a paragraph) in a poem. Do you know your literary terms?