Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant or vowel sounds at the beginning of a list of words.

Examples: Donald Duck, "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Allusion

Reference to a historical or literary figures, events, or objects.

Examples: Mark Twain, Mickey Mouse, David Copperfield

Anachronism

Use of historically inaccurate details in text, perhaps for humourous effect.

Example: Using computers in the 19th century

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of a clause at the beginning of the next clause.

Example: The crime was common, common be the pain.

Analogy

Comparision of two things that are alike in some respects.

Examples: (Similes& Metaphors) Amy is as light as a feather.

Anaphora

Regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses.

Example: We came, we saw, we conquered.

Antagonist

Character or force in a literary work that opposes the main character, or protagonist.

Example: Queen in Snow White

Antihero

Protagonist that doesn't emobody the usual qualities of a "hero," like honor, bravery, and kindness.

Example: Holden in Catcher in the Rye, Oscar in the Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

Antithesis

The use of opposing or contrasting ideas is parallel grammatical forms of parts of speech.

Example: Many are called, but few are chosen.

Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more.

Aphorism

A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a common helf belief.

Example: Lost time is never found again;

A lie told often enough becomes the truth.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which a person, thing, or abstract quality is addressed as if present.

Example: "O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?;"

"O eloquent, just, and mighty Death!"

Asyndeton

The practice of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. In a list, it gives a more extemporaneous effect and suggests the list may be incomplete.

Example: "He was brave, fearless, afraid of nothing."

Catharthis

Purification or cleansing of the spirit through the emotions of pity and terror as a witness to a tragedy; a release of emotion that restores the spirit

Example: