Operating Definitions and Guidelines for Writing

Glossaries of Literary Terms

When you write about literature, defining the technical terms used clarifies the meaning for both reader and writer. Search the glossary lists below for definitions of literary terms. Although some lists are designated as poetry, all terms in it also sometimes appear in prose narratives.

• A basic list for starters
• A Glossary of Literary Terms by Virtual Salt
• A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - terms that are more technical by Virtual Salt
• Rhetorical terms
• Figures of speech -scroll down on page
• Before using the word "image" or "imagery," check its meaning on the Poetry Terms site here and use it correctly
• The University of North Carolina at Pembroke site offers examples. See for instance, cosmic irony.
• A Poetry Terms site