Curated OER
Literary Terms: Allegory
Confused why a book about a third grade class is referring to outer space? The paragraph you're reading might be an allegory. The slide in this PowerPoint gives a detailed definition, as well as an example of an allegory. Tip:...
Other
Mostly Fiction: Latin American Writers and Magic
The writer of this site tells about her experience with reading literature written in the "magical realism" style. It is a personal response to literature, rather than a scholarly analysis, but it is well-written and knowledgable. Many...
City University of New York
Cuny Brooklyn: Literary Terms
Site gives definitions of many literary terms including "characterization."
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania: Repetition
Explains the role of repetition in poetry. Gives several examples of poems that use repetition as a literary device.
Other
Spelling police.com: Allegory
Informational site that provides the definition for and examples of allegory.
Other
Write Design Online: Glossary of Terms
This is a comprehensive glossary of terms pertaining to literature, writing, art, graphic design, and technology.
Emory University
Emory University: The Limerick
This site gives a good description of limerick. Features details about the rhyme scheme and the different forms of limericks. References to the bawdy nature of this verse form.
Emory University
Emory University: Epitaph
A definition of "epitaph" in literary usage with some fine examples.
Emory University
Emory University Writing Center: Ambiguity
Site defines the term ambiguity. Offers explanations of different types of ambiguity, quotes and examples.
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Toronto: Representative Poetry Online
A glossary of literary terms, primarily dealing with poetry, with definitions.
Other
Loyola Marymount University: Classicism
A broad site on this movement in the arts with references and links to many artists and philosophers.
Other
Georgia Perimeter: Choosing and Writing for an Audience
This resource goes extensively into the importance of establishing an audience when writing. It also defines types, how to choose, and how to write for an audience.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Responding to Quotes and Aphorisms
The objective of this lesson plan is to teach students about responding to quotes and aphorisms. This site features a lesson plan with detailed information.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: General Literary Terms
The University of Victoria's Writer's Guide includes an extensive list of literary and rhetorical terms. List can be displayed alphabetically.
Other
Bedford/st. Martin's: Lit Gloss
An encyclopedia of literary terms is included on this site. Students can choose different letters of the alphabet to search for literary terms.
Virtual Salt
Virtual Salt: A Glossary of Literary Terms
This site provides a long list of literary terms complete with full definitions and examples.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam Webster: Anecdote/definition
A good extensive definition of "anecdote" and the origin of the word.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Epigram/epigraph/ Epitaph/epithet
This site gives a definition of the word "epigram." It also includes a few examples of epigrams.
Other
Wastholm Media: Aphorisms Galore
This site from Wastholm Media gives numerous examples of aphorisms. They are Organized by theme and author.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania: Assonance
This resource provides a detailed explanation of the term "assonance." Several examples provided as well as links to related sites.
The English Teacher
The English Teacher: Writing Analogies
Analogies are useful when communicating ideas that a reader wouldn't otherwise understand. This tutorial explains how to use analogy in writing.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Glossary of Literary and Rhetorical Terms: Satire
A good definition of satire, with links to related definitions and literary terms.
Brigham Young University
Silva Rhetoricae: Consonance
This site provides a very detailed definition of the term but does not give any examples. Part of a larger site of literary terms.
Other
Kalliope Poetics: Online Poetry Workshop
This site tells what a limerick is and, gives a few instructions on how to write one. It also includes info on the traditions of the limerick.