Which term refers to a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work?

The term that refers to a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work is an allusion. Allusions are often used in literature, speeches, and everyday conversation to create connections between a text and a broader cultural context or to evoke certain feelings or ideas in the audience. For example, if a writer mentions "a Herculean task," they are alluding to the Greek hero Hercules, known for his incredible strength, which implies that the task is extremely difficult or requires great effort.

The other options do not fit this definition. An anecdote refers to a short, interesting story about a real incident or person. An antagonist is a character in a story who opposes the main character, often creating conflict. The climax is the point in a narrative where the tension reaches its highest point, leading to the resolution of the story. Each of these terms serves distinct purposes in storytelling and discourse, but none describes the concept of an allusion.