Literary Terms
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Write the letter of the matching definition next to each term.
1. simile
A. Use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse
2. imagery
B. A message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events
3. allusion
C. The ability to form mental ___ of things or events
4. point of view
D. A ___ who represents an abstract quality
5. plot
E. Using words that imitate the sound they denote
6. paradox
F. Serving to expound or set forth
7. metaphor
G. The highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
8. alliteration
H. A mental position from which things are ___
9. personification
I. A figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds
10. symbol
J. A figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally
11. onomatopoeia
K. A statement that contradicts itself
12. contrast
L. A conceptual separation or distinction
13. compare
M. A secret scheme to do something
14. climax
N. Qualities that are ___
15. persuasive
O. An arbitrary sign that has acquired a conventional significance
16. narrative
P. Passing reference or indirect mention
17. expository
Q. Intended or having the power to induce action or belief