Literary TermsThe terms high-school essays are expected to use, grouped and defined.9th GradeThe vocabulary a high-school essay is expected to use — precisely, not decoratively.DictionThe writer's word choice, and its connotations.SyntaxSentence construction — length, order, fragments.ToneThe writer's attitude towards the subject.MoodThe atmosphere the reader is put into.MotifA recurring image or idea that builds meaning.AllusionA reference to another text, myth or event.JuxtapositionTwo contrasting things placed side by side.ParadoxA statement that contradicts itself yet holds true.OxymoronTwo contradictory words joined: deafening silence.SatireRidicule used to expose a flaw or folly.Verbal ironySaying the opposite of what is meant.Situational ironyThe outcome is the opposite of what is expected.Dramatic ironyThe reader knows what a character does not.AnaphoraThe same phrase repeated to open successive lines.UnderstatementDeliberately making something sound smaller.CharacterisationDirect (told) or indirect (shown through action).Two terms used exactly beat ten used loosely.Literary Termslearnposters.com
Literary Terms — printable literacy wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

Questions about the Literary Terms poster

Who is the Literary Terms poster for?
Literary Terms is filed under 9th Grade (ages 14–15), so it matches what that year asks a child to remember. It is equally useful to an older student revisiting literacy, and to the parent or teacher answering the question at the kitchen table.
When should you use the Literary Terms poster?
Use two per essay, correctly. That beats ten used loosely. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Literary Terms belongs on the wall where that literacy work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Literary Terms?
Characterisation, Close Reading and From Notes to Essay sit alongside Literary Terms in the 9th Grade set. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.CharacterisationClose ReadingFrom Notes to Essay
Is the Literary Terms poster free to download and print?
Yes. Literary Terms downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the 9th Grade set. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Literary Terms poster print at?
Literary Terms is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Literary Terms loses nothing.Printing guide

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Browse every 9th Grade poster, or start from the full catalogue.