Literary Term Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.5

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Literary terms are words that we use to describe the approach, method, structuring used by someone that is communicating a message in either verbal or written form. This can be used to describe classical authors of literature as well as the local area comic. In general, they are techniques that help writers have a deeper impact on their readers. These techniques strengthen the effect of a writer’s work on the audience that takes it in. The end result usually finishes in the reader having some form of an emotional response to the work. These literary devices can be used to persuade readers into accepting a certain opinion, having good feelings towards a product, or even accepting a political view.

Literary Term Worksheets To Print:

Fiction - We give you a description and ask you to determine the part of the story this is from.

Do You Know Your Literary Terms? - Twelve unique and polarizing terms for you.

Literary Term Quick Reference Sheet - We recommend that every student have a copy of this available to them as soon as you start this unit.

Using Literary Terms - See how these terms relate to stories that you have read. As you read the assignment, find an example of each of the literary terms below. Write the example in the box.

Know Your Terms - More work on those crazy terms. A sentence will describe them, tell us which one it describes best.

Literary Jargon - Read each definition. Fill in the correct literary term. Think to yourself of a work that you may have seen this used in.

Literary Terms Definitions - Match each literary term on the left to its definition on the right.

Literary Terms in Fiction - We have you explore all of these: Exposition, Antagonist, Conflict, Flashback, Genre, Situational Irony, Point of View, Setting, Soliloquy, Stereotype, Symbol/Symbolism, Tone .

Let's Talk Poetry - These are all commonly used techniques that relate to writing poetry.

Used in Fiction - In the box below each description, briefly demonstrate your understanding of the term by giving an example of it from the reading.

Match Up - Everyone likes a good matching activity. You can carry this a number of different ways.

Using Literary Terms to Talk About Poetry - The following literary terms are commonly used to describe the structure of poetry.

Literary Terms: Poetry - This makes for a great culminating quiz.

Line Up - Fill in the correct literary term for each aspect of poetry being described.

Using Devices - Write the correct literary term to describe each device, and the example of the device in one box.

Frequently Used Literary Terms


Metaphors- A metaphor is used to state or propose a likeness. They are not to be taken literally. For example one of my students recently said, "That guy is as big as a skyscraper!" No, the man was not one-hundred feet tall and touching the sky, but he was abnormally large.


Similes- Similes are often confused with metaphors, because they also offer a comparison. The main difference is that similes almost always include the words "like" or "as" to offer this comparison. If I were referring to me pimply face in high school, I would say "My face is like a mind field." Metaphors state a direct comparison, not a general one. Similes are more vague and not precise.


Hyperbole- When a writer would like to grossly exaggerate to add an impact to their work, they often implore the use of hyperbole. Hyperbole is a completely unrealistic statement that gives the reader a sense of urgency. An example might be, "There were a million people at the movie talking, I could barely hear the movie!"


Oxymoron- An oxymoron is a figure of speech that contradicts itself in an obvious fashion. This is often used as comic relief or just to add a unique piece to a work. An oxymoron that is going around my school lately is the state of being "stupid smart". The meaning here is that you are so smart, that it defies belief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Literary Term Quick Reference Sheet Preview