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