ALLUSION

WHAT IS AN ALLUSION?

• A reference to a person or event
• Comparison that is not introduced
• Shortcut to help your reader understand something

WHAT ISN'T AN ALLUSION?

• A formally introduced comparison.
• Weak and inconclusive.
• Any metaphor, simile, or analogy.

GOOD EXAMPLES

• "He hammered the ball like Babe Ruth."
• Refers to Babe Ruth's ability to hit the baseball hard
• "_________ was his Achilles heel."
• Common reference
• Refers to the mythological Achilles

BAD EXAMPLES

• "This painting resembles medusa."
• Vague and open to many interpretations
• Good in theory, bad in execution.
• Referencing something from popular culture that limits it to one time period.

SPICY REFERENCE