Creative Re-casting: Linguistic Techniques Flashcards
Antithesis
Something that is the direct opposite of something else (long-term contrast)
E.g. START OF PARA: Happy; END: Sad
Colloqualism
The use of informal words / phrases / slang in writing
- When writing mirrors spoken language
E.g. wanna / gonna / go nuts
Chremamorphism
The attributes of an inanimate object being applied to people
E.g. he was dispatched
Elipsis
Leaving out words to create tension / suspense
- The sentence will always still be understood
E.g. Bang… silence.
Juxtaposition
The fact two things being placed close together with contrasting effect
- Changes the semantics of the word it describes
E.g. better late than never
Irony
The use of words to convey a meaning that the opposite of its literal meaning (saying the opposite of what is true / real)
E.g. Firestation burns down
Sarcasm
The use of irony to mock a person / idea
E.g. “It’s raining” “That helps!”
Cliche
A common phrase
- Builds familiarity in a text
E.g. Too big for your boots
Pathetic Fallacy
Atmospheric techniques that reflect mood
- Creates imagry / atmosphere / foreshadowing
E.g. sunny weather = happiness / hope
Puns
A play on words which exploit the different possible meaning of words
Alliteration / Phonetic sequencing
The repeated beginning of words
E.g. fleeting phaero (/f/)
Plosive Alliteration
Abrupt & strong: grabs the reader’s attention
- Dawn Drank the Darkness as the sun escaped her Dungeon
Fricative Alliteration
Soft & airy
- Can be aggressive (particularly with f/v)
- he Fumbled with the Photo and Froze
Affrivative Alliteration
Strange & Jarring
- Interrupt the softer flow of text & grabs the reader’s attention
- Guggling Giant Jellyfish
Sibilance
Alliteration which focusses on /s/ sounds (& soft c)
- Sad, uncertain circumstances
Emotive language
Language is used to create a strong emotional response from the reader
- Connotations
Collocation
A predictable combination of words
- Not neccessarily grammatically correct
E.g. crystal clear / heavy rain > strong rain
Parenthesis / Embedded clause
Information added within a sentence either within a clause or brackets
- Allows embedding of further information (description / justification / etc.)
Hypophora
A rhetorical question which is immediately answered
- Draws attention to topics / problems / solutions
E.g. Are you tired of everday hassles? I know I am!
Anaphora / Anaphoric reference
The repition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a series of a phrase or sentence
E.g. “It was…” -Charles Dickens speech
Repitition
Repeating something that has already been said / written
- Umbrella term
Syntactic mirroring
[Tripling]
The use of three of something to emphasise an idea or create a desired effect
Personification
When human characteristics are given to something non-human
- Creates imagry
E.g. the wind howled
Similie
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing to something different
- like / as
E.g. a smile as bright as sunshine
Metaphor
A figure of speech in whihc you say one thing is another
- Metamorphises an idea
- Used ot compare qualities of 2 things
E.g. the moon is a balloon
Oxymoron
When 2 contrasting ideas are combined for dramatic or comedic effect
E.g. Loving hate / geniusly stupid / bittersweet
Neologism
A newly coined word created entirely to suit a new purpose
Parataxis
Placing several clauses together without written conjunctions
- Dramatises
- Technique used for sensationalism
E.g. he braced himself, slowly ran toward the diving board, stared at the abyss below, took a deep breath and plunged into the pool
Hyperbole
An exaggerated statement; not meant to be taken literally but used to create a dramatic effect
E.g. I’m starving
Foreshadowing
A hint / warning / indication of a future event
E.g. Character adjusts their gun holster - implies future use of the gun
Onomatopoeia
When the way a word sounds imitates the sound it is describing
E.g. Clacking heels / splattering paint / rumbling earthquake
Symbolism
When something represents an idea rather than an object
E.g. she clutched her purse in persuit of her new life
-> purse = symbolism for hope
Assonance
Alliteration of vowel sounds
Paralellism
The repeated syntactic patter of a phrase
E.g. I am tired. She is cold. They are angry
- Pronoun > Linking verb > Adjective
Metonymy
The use of a related word to refer to something larger (No. 10 - Prime minister)
Litotes
Deliberate, ironic understatements
(Readers have to pause to interpret the true meaning - phrase is likely to stick)
E.g. Not too bad = very good
First person pronouns
Writer / Speakers own experiences
- more credible (info comes first hand)
WE / US: builds a connection between the writer / speaker & audience
AVOIDED: Maintains an objective tone
Second person pronouns
Builds a connection between writer / speaker & audience
- speaking directly to them
- warm & friendly approach
