Allusion
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Description - What is it exactly?
a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events. Specific examples of allusions can be found throughout every genre of writing.
Where can it be found?
Allusions are often used to summarize broad, complex ideas or emotions in one quick, powerful image. For example, to communicate the idea of self-sacrifice, the bible and other biblical scriptures talk of Jesus Christ who died on cross to save mankind.
Thus, allusions serve an important function in writing in that they allow the reader to understand a difficult concept by relating to an already familiar story.