Symbol/symbolism:
Generally, anything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually a symbolism is something concrete -- such as an object, character, action or scene--

Example:
"Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'"

-The Raven: by Edgar Allen Poe

Explanation:

The first, and most obvious symbol is the Raven. He uses it as a symbol for death, which is what the entire poem is devoted to. Poe does this to create a vivid symbol that is easier for the reader to detect.  Another symbol is the bust of Pallas, the reason for this is because it Pallas is the God of wisdom, which makes the narrator think that the raven is speaking from wisdom. These symbols allow the reader to makes inferences without coming right out and saying it. This is one purpose, but also it adds a hidden layer of depth to the poem, showing its sophistication. 

Synecdoche:
A figure of speech in which a part of something stands for a whole of something.


Example:
"The world treated him badly."

Explanation:
This quote is saying that the "world" treated him badly, which is impossible. The purpose of synecdoche is to emphasis something. In this case how badly "he" was treated, since its described as the world treating him badly, this shows that he was treated very badly. This concept can be applied to literature and poetry, the author wants to emphasis something by making more than one thing into one.

Transition:
A word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph of a passage that serves as a link in the writing.


Example:

first next finally also in addition besides just as important still these include likewise sometimes on the other hand even so however that's why... an example is Explanation: These are examples of transition words that authors, and anyone that writes uses. These words serve to help the writer smoothly move on to the next topic or continue on with that links one point to another. It adds sophistication to a work, and gives it a higher level of writing.

Synesthesia:
A sensation produced in one sense when stimulus is applied to another

Example:
''yellow cocktail music';

-Great Gatsby, by Scott Fitzgerald

Explanation:

Fitzgerald does this to describe the atmosphere, yellow is associated with "drunkenness". The purpose of this is to simply have a creative way to describe the atmosphere with out saying "They're drunk". It's more classy, and the narrator, Nick wants to be sophisticated, so Fitzgerald uses synesthesia so make him look sophisticated.  

Verisimilitude:
The quality of realism in a work that persuades the reader that he/she is getting a vision of life as it is.


Example:
"While i was attending to those in front, and on either side, the one behind ran up with the hand-spike, and struck me a heavy blow upon the head. I fell, and with this they all ran upon me, and fell to beating me with their fists... with his heavy boot, a powerful kick in the left eye."
-Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

Explanation:
Douglass deeply describes himself getting beat up. This imagery allows the reader to actually image what Douglass went through. Douglass does this on purpose, so the reader gets a vision of reality for the slaves, and the reader will want to change things, and make sure the slaves are free or treated better.

Unity:
A work of fiction or nonfiction is said to be unified when all of the parts are related to one central idea or organizing principle.

Example:
"Their yearly clothing consisted of two coarse linen shirts, one pair of linen trousers, like the shirts, one jacket, on pair of trousers for winter, made of coarse negro cloth."
-Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

Explanation:
Douglass' novel is all about the harsh and cruel treatment of the slaves, and how they should be free. This is a short example of one of the many times he he describes the living conditions of the slaves. Douglass makes a point to stay focus to his main idea of freeing the slaves, because it is inhumane and cruel to continue with slavery.