IB English Language and Literature Paper 1 Stylistic Features

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

A literary work in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolise a deeper moral and spiritual meaning.

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

Question 3

Ambiguity

Answer 3

An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way

Question 4

Anachronism

Answer 4

something or someone out of place in terms of historical or chronological context

Question 5

Analogy

Answer 5

Illustrating the subject under discussion by making a parallel comparison

Question 6

Anaphora

Answer 6

Repetition of the same word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases to create emphasis

Question 7

Anecdote

Answer 7

A short account of a particular situation or incident

Question 8

Anthropomorphism

Answer 8

Attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object (e.g Queen of hearts)

Question 9

Antithesis

Answer 9

A figure of speech in which a thought is balanced with a contrasting thought.

Question 10

Apostrophe

Answer 10

Where a speaker addresses a person or object that is not alive

Question 11

Archaism

Answer 11

Intentional use of a word or expression no longer used to evoke a sense of a bygone era

Question 12

Bias

Answer 12

Promoting on specific point of view in a text and deliberately excluding others

Question 13

Cacophony

Answer 13

Denotes harsh, jarring noise

Question 14

Cliche

Answer 14

A stereotypical expression which is overused

Question 15

Connotation

Answer 15

Suggestion of a word meaning beyond what it explicitly denotes

Question 16

Diction

Answer 16

Choice of words

Question 17

Ellipsis

Answer 17

The omission of words necessary to complete a sentence (…) or (-) used for dramatic effect, tension, confusion, etc.

Question 18

Enumeration

Answer 18

Listing items in order.

Question 19

Euphemism

Answer 19

a word or phrase that is used in a place of a more direct term that might be offensive.

Question 20

Euphony

Answer 20

Denotes pleasant, harmonious sound

Question 21

Exposition

Answer 21

Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something.

Question 22

Figurative Language

Answer 22

Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal meaning of the words themselves (inc. metaphor, simile, personification, irony, etc)

Question 23

Hyperbole

Answer 23

An extremem exaggeration

Question 24

Hypophora

Answer 24

Asking a question and then answering it.

Question 25

Imagery

Answer 25

Words that create a picture in the reader’s mind

Question 26

Irony

Answer 26

A literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true.

Question 27

Oxymoron

Answer 27

Two apparently contradictory terms

Question 28

Paradox

Answer 28

A statement that appears self- contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth

Question 29

Parallelism

Answer 29

Use of similar or identical language, structures, events or ideas in different parts of a text.

Question 30

Satire

Answer 30

The ridicule of something the writer dislikes

Question 31

Sensationalize

Answer 31

Describing something in an exaggerated way to shock and engage the reader.

Question 32

Syntax

Answer 32

Arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences.

Question 33

Tricolon

Answer 33

Sentence of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses

Question 34

Understatement

Answer 34

A statement that says less than what is meant