Allusion Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.7.5.A

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Authors often need to clearly make their thoughts felt by the readers. There are many instances where they may intend to draw the attention to a cause, person, event, or something similar, but not want to explicitly call it out. This is where the literary device of allusion can come in helpful and break through where we need to as authors. An allusion is when authors attempt to transfer an idea into something else. When used properly it can really help amplify the message to your readers. This tool can help authors communicate a mountain of information in a few short words.

This technique also presents a problem for authors and readers alike. Since what the author is alluding is not directly being discussed, there are often times where the reader will completely miss the intentions of the author. This is why authors should use this tool when they have a good feel for the audience that is expected to read it. This way the author can present it in a manner that would be understood best.

This literary technique is often used to share morals that conform to cultural norms. You will find it often used to share folklore or religious under tones. The Bible is one of the most studied texts in history. The interpretations of this work have been past on from generation to generation. Authors are endlessly writing allusions to this work.

Allusion Worksheets To Print:

Spot It - The thing being referenced can be a person, place, or thing either from real life or from a book, television, song, etc. It can also be a quality that thing represents. The thing/quality being referenced isn’t mentioned directly because the writer assumes that their reader will “get” the reference.

Greek Literature - Explain the meaning of each common allusion below. Then use each one in a sentence.

Where Did They Come From? - Students identify the use of this technique with references back to the four commonly used sources.

Cultural Allusions in Song - A cultural allusion is a reference to something or someone in popular culture.

Recognizing Them - Read each of the sentences below. Underline where this technique is used. Then identify whether it alludes to literature, mythology, or the Bible. Explain.

Recognizing Biblical Uses - Students will analyze a series of sentences.

In Poetry - Students will approach a well known genre of poetry. This is a famous offering from Frost.

Write With It - You will explore your own uses of this technique that all start with the thoughts of a prompt.

Political Speeches - The quotations below are all taken from famous speeches. Identify and explain the allusion in each quotation.

Popular Culture - Over the next few days, as you read, listen to music, watch television, or even talk to your friends, make a note of the allusions that you encounter. Fill out the chart below.

Charting Course - This is like a journal for spotting this technique in everything you read.

Identification Practice - Identify and explain the allusion in the Wordsworth poem.

Creative Starter - This is a little practice exercise you can try to make sure students have the idea.

Explain It - You will first spot this technique being used and then explain what it actually means.

Allusions to Mythology - We focus our time on explaining the thoughts behind commonly understood myths.

The Practice of Using Allusion

This technique has been used for centuries to help authors share a deeper meaning of their work with their intended audience. In many instances it can leave their work being absorbed in much more artful manner. We also use this technique often throughout our everyday speech. An example would be using the word "kryptonite". If you follow the Superman series, to any degree, you will know that this fictious mineral is Superman's weakness. If he or other beings from his planet come in contact with kryptonite, they get ill and get fatally sick if they are exposed for long periods of time. You will often hear this word used to allude to weakness in everyday speed. For example, "Doughnuts are my kryptonite." Readers can also gather the same meaning from the use of the classical allusion to Achilles' heel.


You can use this technique in your own work, but it is of the utmost importance that you fully understand your intended reader. You must ensure that the mass majority of your audience will quickly and easily identify with the allusion you are presenting for them. When used effectively this is a very powerful technique that can be used to provide readers with a boatload of background information. It can also be used to share personality or traits of your characters in an impactful way. When using this method authors must find a way to incorporate it into the work to heighten the way they reach their audience. Having worked with this technique for some time, I can definitely say that the more that you try to use the technique does not necessarily mean you ever master it. In order to improve your use of this technique, I would highly recommend that you analyze your use of this technique with others.