Common Literary Techniques

Question 1

Imagery:

Answer 1

It is the use of figurative language to create visual representations of actions, objects and ideas in our mind in such a way that they appeal to our physical senses.

Question 2

Imagery Example:

Answer 2

The room was dark and gloomy. -The words “dark” and “gloomy” are visual images.

Question 3

Simile and Metaphor:

Answer 3

Simile and Metaphor: Both compare two distinct objects and draws similarity between them. The difference is that Simile uses “as” or “like” and Metaphor does not.

Question 4

Simile and Metaphor Example:

Answer 4

• “My love is like a red red rose” (Simile)

- He is an old fox very cunning. (Metaphor)

Question 5

Hyperbole:

Answer 5

It is deliberate exaggeration of actions and ideas for the sake of emphasis.

Question 6

Hyperbole Example:

Answer 6

Your bag weighs a ton!

Question 7

Personification:

Answer 7

It gives a thing, an idea or an animal human qualities.

Question 8

Personification Example:

Answer 8

The flowers are dancing beside the lake.

Question 9

Alliteration:

Answer 9

It refers to the same consonant sounds in words coming together.

Question 10

Alliteration Example:

Answer 10

Better butter always makes the batter better.

Question 11

Irony:

Answer 11

It is use of the words in such a way in which the intended meaning is completely opposite to their literal meaning.

Question 12

Irony Example:

Answer 12

So nice of you to break my new PSP!

Question 13

Onomatopoeia:

Answer 13

Onomatopoeia is defined as a word, which imitates the natural sounds of a thing.

Question 14

Onomatopoeia Example:

Answer 14

bang

Question 15

Assonance:

Answer 15

Assonance takes place when two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds.

Question 16

Assonance Example:

Answer 16

Go and mow the lawn. OOO

Question 17

Enjambment:

Answer 17

In poetry it means moving over from one line to another without a terminating punctuation mark.