Department of Defense
Do Dea: English 4; Wealth and Poverty
A learning module asking students to analyze different types of texts, learn literary terms, write a satirical essay and a mock newspaper article, and work with vocabulary skills all within themes related to wealth and poverty.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Glossary of Literary and Rhetorical Terms: Modernism
A succinct definition of modernism, with examples of authors and styles.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Understanding and Analysis of Literary Text: Allusion
A learning module that teaches students about allusion as a literary device in five mini-lessons: Introduction, Allusion Defined, Allusion in Speeches, Allusion in Writing, Test Your Understanding.
British Library
British Library: Wilde's the Importance of Being Earnest: A Close Reading
In this lesson, students will consider several aspects of Oscar Wilde's most popular of comedies, "The Importance of Being Earnest". The success of this play is in part due to its examination of moral principles - in this case, the...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson B: Satire
Students explore how satirical news stories, like political cartoons, are meant to poke fun, not to trick people. Students learn to spot satire and understand both the joke and the purpose of this news-related genre.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Neoclassism: Epic, Mock Epic and Satire
Unfortunately, "literary" writing was not as simple and direct as political writing. When trying to write poetry, most educated authors stumbled into the pitfall of elegant neoclassicism. The epic, in particular, exercised a fatal...
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Inversion
This is a glossary entry for the term "Inversion" including definition and literary examples.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Irony
This is a glossary entry for the term "Irony" including the definition, the three types, and visual examples.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Satire
This is a glossary entry for the term "Satire" including definitions and examples. Also offers links to more information and examples.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Understatement
This is an encyclopedia entry for the word "Understatement." It defines the term, provides background information about it, and offers references.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University: The Role of Literary Criticism
This site has information about the role of literary criticism thoroughout time.
Other
Kristi Siegel, ph.d.: Introduction Modern Literary Theory
This site provides an overview of literary terms and critical theories, compiled by a professor of English who teaches at the university level.
Other
Spelling police.com: Irony
Informational site that provides the definition for and examples of irony.
Other
Spelling police.com: Oxymoron
Informational site that provides the definition for and examples of oxymoron. L.9-10.5a Figures of Speech
Other
Spelling police.com: Literary Devices
A simple list of literary terms. Click on each for a definition and examples.
Other
Brock University: Deconstruction Assumptions
Complex site from the Brock University on deconstruction and its many assumptions and premises. Very advanced treatment of deconstruction, not for the beginner.
Emory University
Emory University: Epitaph
A definition of "epitaph" in literary usage with some fine examples.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Irony
This site from The UVic Writer's Guide provides an excellent description of the literary term "irony." Content includes a focus on dramatic irony, structural irony, and verbal irony.
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.
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.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Describing the Mood
Information that can be read or listened to that describes how to identify and write about the mood of a piece. Examples are provided using the story of "Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Humor in Writing
Eight slides introducing different types of humor in writing including irony, caricature, satire, wit, blunders, hyperbole, jokes, practical jokes, and puns.
Other
Ambrose Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary"
Created in the image of the the book of the same name, these diabolical definitions are Bierce's satirical ridicule of the status quo. Many of these satirical definitions are accompanied by quotations.