Allusion versus Illusion Do not confuse allusion with

Allusion versus Illusion Do not confuse allusion with the word illusion. An illusion is something that gives a false sense of reality.

Allusions are well-known. An allusion is not a reference to something that only a small group of people know. So, “Sally has my mom’s smile” would not be an allusion because it is not something well-known.

Examples of Allusion l As the cave’s roof collapsed, he was swallowed up like Jonah. – Who is Jonah and what happened to him?

Examples of Allusions l Jonah was a biblical figure that was swallowed by a whale and then spit out; this saved his life. l Why would the speaker use this allusion? How does it help you to better understand his or her point? l

Examples of Allusions l Sandy didn’t like to spend money. She was no Scrooge or anything, but she only bought the bare necessities. l Who was Scrooge, and where did we meet him?

Examples of Allusions l Scrooge was a character in A Christmas Carol, a novel by Charles Dickens. l When you call someone a “Scrooge”, what are you saying? How does this help someone better understand what you are trying to say? l

Find the Allusion "I was taught that everything is attainable if you are prepared to give up, to sacrifice, to get it. Whatever you want to do, you can do it, if you want it badly enough, and I do believe that. I believe that if I wanted to run a mile in four minutes I could do it. I would have to give up everything else in my life, but I could run a mile in four minutes. I believe that if a man wanted to walk on water and was prepared to give up everything else in life, he could do that. " (Stirling Moss)