Allusion is a popular and successful approach. The definition of allusion varies, but it is a somewhat indirect connection in one work to another text, place, historical period, or author. To build meaning, allusions rely on the audience's knowledge of other books, locations, or periods. Additionally, allusions can help establish a tone within a work. Allusions can be used to great effect in writing to draw attention to themselves or their purpose. They can also reveal information about the writer's personality or experience that might otherwise be hard to convey. For example, many readers will recognize references to Shakespeare's works even if they have never read a word he wrote because writers often use these references as shortcuts for words or ideas they cannot find else where. Allusions can also help readers connect with a story or character beyond what might normally be expected from a simple narrative. In fiction, allusions can help shape the meaning of a work by connecting it to other stories or authors. In poetry, allusions can help explain or emphasize a phrase, line, or concept. Writers use different methods to create allusive works. Some use direct quotes while others use paraphrase or summary. Some allude to characters, events, or places outside of the current scene while others refer to concepts that lie only within the mind of the reader or writer.