As we advance through secondary and post-secondary schooling, the level of English literary analysis can often become increasingly difficult. There are numerous terms and concepts to remember and many of them are quite abstract. However, in order to be able to discuss literature on a higher level, we need to know about these concepts and terminologies. Think of them as tools that each serve a different purpose. When used together, they can help build a discussion or an essay. Although technical literary terms do look confusing at first, keep in mind that they always get easier to use with practice. Below is a helpful list of terms and definitions to use as a quick reference guide.

Allegory – An allegory is a comparison between two things but usually on a deeper level than a metaphor.
Alliteration – Alliteration is the use of several words in a phrase that tend to repeat the first letter of the first word. It is most commonly found in poetry.
Allusion – An allusion is a reference to something outside of the immediate topic that is being discussed. For example, when we quote a line from a funny movie during a conversation with friends, we are alluding to that movie. 
Analogy – An analogy is the comparison between two ideas or things in order to clarify a point better.
Anaphora – Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase segment throughout a section of text.
Anticlimax – Anticlimax occurs when an event is closed with an ending that is much less than what the reader is given to expect.
Antithesis – Antithesis displays the description of something by comparing it to its complete opposite.
Apostrophe – In a piece of text, apostrophe is when part of a speech is addressed to a person who is not present or even an inanimate object or idea.
Archetype – An archetype is a generalized idea of a person or thing that holds certain common traits. For example, the hero and the villain are each examples of archetypes.
Assonance – Assonance is the repetition of a single vowel throughout a sentence or longer piece of text. It contributes to the mood of the story or poem.
Black humor – Black humor is a type of joke or humor that involves subjects that are normally somewhat dark or disturbing. Often it can also extend to taboo topics. 
Characterization – Characterization describes characters, places and time periods in a story to help the reader understand them better.
Crux – The crux of a story or argument is the central point that needs to be resolved.
Deus ex machina – Deux ex machina is a Latin term that literally translates to “god from the machine.” It refers to when even the most hopeless conflict is miraculously solved through an unexpected or unrealistic event or character.
Diction – Diction is the choice of words an author uses to convey a description or idea.
Didactic – Didactic literature instructs the reader on something specific or teaches a moral lesson.
Effigy (PDF) – An effigy is a model made to represent a person or character.
Euphemism – A euphemism is a word or phrase that serves as a milder or less frank substitute when discussing a sensitive topic.Foreshadowing – Foreshadowing is a hint or suggestion to readers as to what might happen next in the story.
Hyperbole – Hyperbole is a gross and very obvious exaggeration of the truth, used to stress the extent of something.
Icon – An icon in literature can be a person or thing that stands as a symbol for something else, commonly with religious connotation.
Imagery – Imagery uses descriptions and comparisons to illustrate an idea through words instead of flatly stating it to the reader.
In medias res – The translation of “in media res” means “in the middle of things.” It is used to refer to a story that starts in the middle of the plot rather than at the very beginning. 
Irony – Irony generally involves saying or doing something that is the opposite of what is truly meant. It usually involves some degree of humor or sarcasm.
Metaphor – A metaphor is the direct comparison between two things that focuses on their similarities.
Paradox – A paradox is a statement or idea that starts out logically but ends by contradicting itself or in an illogical conclusion.
Parody – A parody is usually a playful interpretation of another work. While some parodies aim to mock the original work, others make fun of it as a form of paying tribute.
Pathetic fallacy – Pathetic fallacy is a literary technique used to give human emotions or reactions to animals or inanimate objects.
Personification – The technique of personification bestows human characteristics to an animal or object so that it appears to be capable of acting, thinking and speaking like a human.
Plot – A plot in a narrative is essentially the storyline and events that occur to create the text.
Rhetoric – Rhetoric is a very impressive and persuasive form of speech in literature; however, it may sometimes be considered insincere.
Satire – Satire takes a concept, idea or even a person and makes fun of it in some form of literature. It is often used to point out a truth in a roundabout and more benign way.
Symbol – A symbol can be anything in a literary context that is used to stand for a larger idea or concept.
Theme – A theme is an abstract concept that the author examines through the text.