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Allusion

English Language ArtsGrade 12Grade 11Grade 10Grade 2Grade KGrade 1Grade 3Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8Grade 9Grade 4

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DEFINITION:

An allusion is an indirect reference in conversation or in writing to a person, place, thing or idea. The reference is not described in detail, as it is assumed that the reader or the receiver of the information has some background knowledge. Allusions are often cultural, historical, or have political significance. 

HOW IT WORKS:
One example is telling someone who lies a lot: 'Your nose will begin to grow'.  This is an indirect reference to the story of 'Pinocchio'. In the story Pinocchio’s nose grew whenever he told a lie. Anyone who has read or heard this story before would understand this reference.  Anyone who has not read or heard the story would have difficulty making the connection.  


HOW IT'S USED IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Allusions are found in everyday conversation as well as in print (for example in  books, magazines, newspapers, as well as in online blogs and articles).

Lyrics

Allusion

Person, place or event that makes reference to something. 

Allusion sounds like “illusion.”

Yeah its confusin.’

So students let’s use some music to help us through it.

A person, place, or event, yeah it makes a reference.

Don't know it?  You might miss it. It's indirect.

 

Place or person (allusion)

Event (allusion)

Literary work (allusion)

It's a what? (allusion)

Place or person (allusion)

Event (allusion)

Literary work (allusion)

It's a what? (allusion)

 

An allusion is a reference; a reference is an allusion.

A reference that's made to something that has nothing to do with what you’re writing.

Whether person or a place or event, if you’re not familiar with it then it's easy to miss.

For example, there was a man who told so many lies,                                                                          

So many when his nose didn't grow I was surprised.

See his nose growing is a reference to Pinocchio, but if you never heard that story then you wouldn’t know.

Allusions, allusions! I swear its so easy, that a caveman can do it.                                    

That's from a Geico commercial.

That's another allusion.

Never saw that commercial?  Well, it might be confusing. That's an allusion.

Allusion sounds like “illusion.”

Yeah its confusin’.  So students, let’s use some music to help us through it.

A person, place, or event, yeah it makes a reference.

Don't know it? You might miss it. It's indirect.

 

Place or person(allusion)    

Event (allusion)

Literary work (allusion)

It’s a what? (allusion)

Place or person (allusion)

Event (allusion)

Literary work (allusion)

It’s a what? (allusion)               

Standards