100+ Allusion Examples | MS Word, PDF

Many popular quotes and characters have a large bearing and impact on pop culture. When a person wants to use these quotes or characters as a reference without outright stating their origin then they will use them as an allusion. 

100+ Allusion Examples

1. Allusion Notes Example

allusion notes examplewcv.k12.ia.us
Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 258 KB

Download

2. Allusion Practice Worksheet Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 247 KB

Download

3. Allusion Study Guide Example

Details
File Format
  • PDf

Size: 280 KB

Download

4. Allusion Handout Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 411 KB

Download

5. Allusions PowerPoint Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 142 KB

Download

6. Allusions in Songs Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 2 MB

Download

7. Allusion Reference Guide Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 252 KB

Download

8. Allusions Worksheet Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 60 KB

Download

9. Allusions Guide Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 293 KB

Download

10. Recognizing Allusions Worksheet Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 272 KB

Download

11. Biblical Motifs and Allusion Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 357 KB

mrskissire.weebly.comDownload

12. Matching Up Allusions Worksheet Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 118 KB

Download

13. Greek Allusions in Everyday Life Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 190 KB

Download

14. Literary Quotations and Allusions Usage Guide Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 333 KB

Download

15. Allusions and Cultural References Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 371 KB

Download

16. Analyzing Translated Allusions Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 340 KB

Download

17. Allusions and Reflections Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 87 KB

Download

18. Historical Allusions Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 500 KB

Download

List of Commonly Used Allusion

As they say experience is the best teacher, but in this case examples of an allusion will be most effective. Through skimming through a lit of examples will give you a better idea as to what is an allusion is and how it has been or could be used. Thus, here is a list of commonly used allusions along with their definitions that you can refer to:

Mythological Allusion

  • Achilles’ heel – a weakness a person may have. Achilles was invulnerable, except for his heel (achilles tendon).
  • Adonis – a handsome younger man; Aphrodite loved him.
  • Apollo – a physically perfect male; the God of music and light, Apollo was known for his physical beauty.
  • Cassandra – a person who continually predicts misfortune, but often is not believed.
  • Erotic – of or having to do with sexual passion or love. Eros was the Greek god of love.
  • Harpy – a predatory person or nagging woman. Comes from “harpy,” a foul creature that was part woman, part bird.
  • Helen – symbol of a beautiful woman; from Helen of Troy.
  • Morphine – an alkaloid used to relieve pain and induce sleep. Morpheus was a god that could easily change shape.
  • Muse – a creature of inspiration. The daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, and divine singers that presided over thought in all its forms.
  • Narcissism – being in love with one’s own self-image. Named for Narcissus, a handsome young man who despised love, but fell in love with himself instead.
  • Odyssey – a long journey. Named for Odysseus, a character in The Odyssey, by Homer. Odysseus makes his long journey back from the Trojan War.
  • Pandora’s Box – Something that opens the door for bad occurrences, opened by someone known for curiosity. Named for Pandora, who opened a box of human ills.
  • Phoenix – a symbol of immortality or rebirth. Named after a long bird that consumed itself in fire, then rose renewed from the flame to start another long life.
  • Psyche – the human soul, self, the mind. Named after Psyche, a maiden who, after undergoing many hardships, reunited with her love.
  • Pygmalion – someone who tries to fashion someone into the person he desires. Comes from a myth adapted into a play by George Bernard Shaw.
  • Sibyl – a witch or sorceress; a priestess who had the gift of prophecy.
  • Tantalize – from King Tantalus, who reigned on Mt. Sipylus, and who was condemned to a river but couldn’t eat the beautiful food around him.
  • Titanic – grand and enormous. Named after Tityus, the son of Zeus and Elara, whose body covered nearly two acres.
  • Volcanoes – originated from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

Literary Allusion

  • Babbitt – a self-satisfied person concerned chiefly with business and middle-class ideals, like material success. Comes from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.
  • Cinderella – one who gains affluence or recognition after being treated poorly.
  • Don Juan – a libertine, profligate, a man obsessed with women.
  • Don Quixote – someone overly idealistic to the point of being unrealistic. From the Cervantes character in The Man of La Mancha, by Dale Wasserman and Mitch Leigh.
  • Frankenstein – anything that threatens or destroys its creator. From Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein.
  • Jekyll and Hyde – a capricious person with two sides to his personality. From the novel of the same name.
  • Lothario – used to describe a man who seduces women. From The Fair Penitent, by Nicholas Rowe.
  • Scrooge – a bitter and/or greedy person. From Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
  • Svengali – a person with an irresistible hypnotic power; from 1984, by George Mauriers.

Biblical Allusion

  • Absolom – a son who brings heartache to his father.
  • Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end, from a quote in Revelations.
  • Daniel – one known for wisdom and accurate judgment.
  • David and Bathsheba – represents a big sin. From King David’s affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.
  • Eye of the Needle – a very difficult task. From the historic narrow gateways into cities, called “the needle.”
  • Goliath – a large person. From the giant from the Philistine city of Gath, slain by David.
  • Ishmael – one who is cast out as being unworthy.
  • Job – one who suffers a great deal, but remains faithful.
  • Jonah – one who brings bad luck.
  • Judas – a traitor.
  • Original Sin – the idea that all men are innately sinful as a result of Adam and Eve’s fall.
  • Prodigal Son – a wasteful son who disappoints his father.
  • Samson and Delilah – a treacherous love story.
  • Scapegoat – one that is made an object of blame for others.
  • Solomon – an extremely wise person.

Historical Allusion

  • Attila – barbarian, rough leader; King of the Huns from 433-453 A.D..
  • Berserk – destructively or frenetically violent, from mental upset.
  • Boycott – to act together in abstaining from using a specific item. From Charles C. Boycott, who refused to charge lower rents, and his staff boycotted.
  • Canopy – an overhanging protection or shelter, to cover.
  • Casanova – a man who is amorous to women; based on the Italian adventurer.
  • Chauvinist – one who has a militant devotion to and glorification to country or gender; Nicolas Chauvin.
  • El Dorado – a place of reputed wealth; from the legendary city in South America.
  • Machiavellian – characterized by expedience, deceit and cunning; after Niccolo Machiavelli.
  • McCarthyism – modern witch hunt, the practice of publicizing accusations without evidence; after Joseph McCarthy.
  • Nostradamus – fortune teller; (1503-66) French physician and astrologer who wrote a book of rhymed prophecies.
  • Stonewall – hinder or obstruct by evasive, delaying tactics from Stonewall Jackson.
  • Thespian – having to do with the theater or acting; from Thespis, an attic poet and father of Greek tragedy.
  • Uncle Sam – government of people of the United States; derived from Uncle Sam, a business man in the 1900s.

19. Analyzing Allusions Worksheet Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 184 KB

Download

20. Logic and Discovery of Textual Allusion Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 393 KB

Download

Why Use Allusion?

Although allusion can be useful in expressing your thought, it can be hard to flawlessly and effectively incorporate it into your writing. The thing with allusions is that when not used properly it can change the meaning of a sentence of a whole text. But with this challenge, why should you use allusions in your writings? Here are some of the reasons why you should use allusions:

  • Build a stronger connection to your audience.
  • It shows your knowledge about topics aside from what you are writing.
  • It adds meaning and symbolism.
  • It is flexible; it can be used in various types of writing styles.
  • Adds meaningful imagery for the picture you are trying to paint.
  • It adds validity to claims or argument you are trying to prove.
  • It pays homage to the people you have taken inspiration from.
  • Allows you to include recommendations for other literature seamlessly.
  • Gives your audience a sense of pride when they get what you mean.
  • It demonstrates your prowess when it comes to writing.

Conclusion

As you may know by now, allusion is just another way to enhance your writing. Not that there is something wrong with writing an straightforward, no nonsense manner, but you still have to try new ways to engage and entertain your readers. With that in mind, it is important to use other ways or measures to ensure that your style of writing stays unpredictable and exciting for your reader/s. This is where allusion and other figurative language comes to play, literally, since most of them plays with words to enhance or add more meaning to your texts.

Allusion is a great way for you to let your readers think and ponder about what you are trying to convey. At the same time, it is a great way for your to improve your technique in flawlessly incorporating allusion into your text. Although there allusion is indirect it can still convey your actual message if you provide the right surrounding context. Thus, allusion is a useful tool to improve your overall output. We hope you learned about allusions through the discussions in this article.

21. Allusion Template

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 88 KB

Download

22. Standard Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 51 KB

Download

23. Basic Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 100 KB

Download

24. Literary Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 171 KB

Download

25. Allusions in Paradise Lost

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 192 KB

Download

26. Mythological Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 187 KB

Download

27. Historical Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 84 KB

Download

28. University Student Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 487 KB

Download

29. Allusions in Short Stories

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 286 KB

Download

30. Allusion Worksheet

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 39 KB

Download

31. Personal Proper Noun Allusions

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 255 KB

Download

32. Cinematic Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 411 KB

Download

33. Allusion vs Illusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 191 KB

Download

34. Lesson Plan for Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 1 MB

Download

35. Allusion in Everyday Speech

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 293 KB

Download

36. Allusion Poetry

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 352 KB

Download

37. Allusion and Self-Annotation

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 529 KB

Download

38. Study of an Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 7 KB

Download

39. Retrieved Reformation Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 353 KB

Download

40. Allusion Company Opening

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 205 KB

Download

41. Allusion Chapters in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 15 KB

Download

42. Allusion Notebook

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 10 KB

Download

43. Allusion Handbook

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 48 KB

Download

44. Allusion Example in PDF

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 120 KB

Download

45. University Students Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 117 KB

Download

46. Allusion Recessed Linear

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 138 KB

Download

47. Political Allusions

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 345 KB

Download

48. Reflections of Allusions

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 339 KB

Download

49. Echoic Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 255 KB

Download

50. Allusion in Advertising

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 675 KB

Download

51. Allusions as Culture Bumps

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 139 KB

Download

52. Translation Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 134 KB

Download

53. Cultural Function of Allusions

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 534 KB

Download

54. Allusions in TV Shows

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 656 KB

Download

55. Allusion Lesson Plan in PDF

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 35 KB

Download

56. Textual Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 59 KB

Download

57. Allusion to Jacob’s Ladder

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 290 KB

Download

58. Biblical Allusions

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 217 KB

Download

59. Allusion Practise

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 28 KB

Download

60. Allusion Worksheet

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 28 KB

Download

61. Allusion Blind

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 593 KB

Download

62. Allusion Designs

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 162 KB

Download

63. Allusion Example in PDF

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 277 KB

Download

64. Augustan Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 389 KB

Download

65. Allusion Event

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 425 KB

Download

66. Allusion in Latin Poetry

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 841 KB

Download

67. Mythical Allusion Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 58 KB

Download

68. General Knowledge Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 90 KB

Download

69. Allusion Practice with Example

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 556 KB

Download

70. Allusion Project

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 91 KB

Download

71. Basic Allusion in Poetry

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 12 MB

Download

72. Allusion Notes

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 12 MB

Download

73. Structural Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 466 KB

Download

74. Non-Fiction Allusion Articles

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 108 KB

Download

75. Elements of Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 45 KB

Download

76. Sample Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 3 MB

Download

77. Inner-Biblical Allusion

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 101 KB

Download

78. Simple Allusion in PDF

Details
File Format
  • PDF

Size: 216 KB

Download

79. Allusion Exercise

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 11 KB

Download

80. The Longest Memory Allusion

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 11 KB

Download

81. Biblical Allusion in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 9 KB

Download

82. Allusion Tea Party

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 7 KB

Download

83. Shakespeare Allusion

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 13 KB

Download

84. Allusion Example in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 6 KB

Download

85. Allusion Poetic Devices

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 11 KB

Download

86. Examples of Allusion in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 3 KB

Download

87. Tracking Allusions in The Colour of Water

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 8 KB

Download

88. Allusion Imagery

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 15 KB

Download

89. Allusion Worksheet in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 40 KB

Download

90. Multiple Allusions

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 9 KB

Download

91. Historical and Religious Allusion

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 8 KB

Download

92. Allusion Activity

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 28 KB

Download

93. Standard Allusion in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 5 KB

Download

94. Allusion in Dead Man

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 90 KB

Download

95. Historical Allusions in DOC

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 16 KB

Download

96. Basic Allusions Template

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 5 KB

Download

97. Allusion World Literature

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 6 KB

Download

98. Allusion Assignment

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 7 KB

Download

99. Ambivalent Allusion

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 26 KB

Download

100. Allusion Literary Terms

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 12 KB

Download

101. Mythological and Biblical Allusions

Details
File Format
  • DOC

Size: 372 KB

Download

What Is an Allusion 

An allusion is a subtle way to create a reference to a spoken quote, an event, a book, or a person to one’s audience. Due to the subtle nature of the allusion, the writer or speaker will not say the reference’s origin in their text or speech.

How to Use an Allusion

A well-used allusion can elevate the quality of text or speech the person uses the allusion. If you need to have a reference on how to use allusions, you may use any of the allusion examples, allusion samples, and allusion templates on the links above.

Step 1: Understand and Research Your Target Market

An allusion will sometimes require the audience to understand or have pre-existing knowledge of the source of the allusion. Begin by researching the taste of your target market or audience. This will provide you with sufficient knowledge of what types of allusions you can use.

Step 2: Determine What Type of Allusion You Will Use

You should try and determine the type of allusion you will use for your text or speech. The reasoning should be a blend of your interest and the interest of your target audience.

Step 3: Outline How You Will Use the Allusion

You should outline how you will add the allusion and the main method you will provide said allusion. This will allow you to pre-emptively prepare yourself and properly pace the allusion.

Step 4: Insert or Add the Allusion

Using the outline, you will strategically insert or add the allusion to your text or speech. Be sure that the allusion is very visible in your text or speech so that your audience will be able to pick up on the allusion.

FAQs

What are the types of allusions a person can make?

A person can use allusion to create a subtle reference to a specific thing without needing to explicitly mention the origin of the reference. The first type of allusion is called historical allusion wherein the person will refer to a historical event or quote. A mythological allusion is the second type of allusion that allows the person to refer to a mythological story to create a simile, an antithesis, or a metaphor. The third type of allusion is called a religious allusion, which is when the person will create a subtle reference to something allegorical or religious. Literary allusion is a subtle reference to a specific book or poem in one’s text.

Why are allusions hard to create?

Allusions are subtle references the author uses to enhance specific portions of their text. The main hurdle the writer has to overcome when using allusions is the fact that their target audience might misunderstand or have no knowledge about the referred quote or object. This hurdle might obfuscate the point, theme, or tone of the writing, which might cause the reader to lose interest in the text.

What is the difference between a reference and an allusion?

A reference is a literary device that allows writers or speakers to outright call something to mind by quoting a specific book, story, speech, or event. This means that a reference will directly state the origin of the quote as a way to direct readers to referred object. The allusion is a juxtaposition of the directness reference, as the writer will only subtly refer to a specific book, story, speech, or event without needing to mention the origin. In conclusion, a reference is a direct call for attention, while an allusion is an indirect call for the reader’s attention.

Allusion is a literary and rhetorical device that a person uses when they will indirectly refer to a specific thing in one’s speech or writing. When properly used and delivered to the target audience, the allusion can greatly enhance the text or speech the person uses on. Therefore, if one wants to improve their writing and rhetorical skills, then one should try and improve their understanding and use of allusion.

More Design