language devices + meanings Flashcards
what effect does a metaphor have?
metaphors create images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language. Metaphorical language activates the imagination, and the writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions through metaphor.
what effect do similes and metaphors have?
metaphors and similes activate the imagination, creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind, helping to engage and absorb them. Images are easier to understand and respond to than literal language, which means that writers often use similes and metaphors to make their meanings clearer and vivid in the readers mind, as the writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions through metaphor. The use of these devices can create a variety of effects, from revealing mood to illuminating characters and settings
what effect does imagery have?
Imagery can make something abstract, like an emotion or theory, seem more concrete and tangible to the reader. By using imagery, writers can evoke the feeling they want to talk about in their readers…and by making their readers feel, writers can also help readers connect to the messages in their work
what is imagery?
a literary device that uses figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create an image in the reader’s mind. Imagery is not limited to visual representations or mental images, but also includes physical sensations and internal emotions
what is symbolism?
the use of an object to represent a concept
what does symbolism do?
make the core ideas of your writing concrete
what is personification a powerful way to do?
foster empathy in your readers
what is hyperbole?
exaggeration
what are 4 uses of hyperbole?
for comedy, to exaggerate a point, to grab a readers attention, as a symbol
why is hyperbole used as a symbol?
hyperbole as a symbol is used often in conversation to emphasize a point
what effect does irony have in literature?
although in can be a method for evoking humour, irony in literature is intended to provoke the reader into thinking harder and analyzing a situation. by comparing and contrasting reality with suppositions about reality, the reader is able to arrive at a better understanding of the author’s intent
what is juxtaposition used for in poetry?
to build tension or highlight an important contrast
what effect does juxtaposition have?
juxtaposition can have the effect of absurdity or humour, or create a link between elements and images that appear unrelated until they are paired. it can also have an ironic or thought-provoking effect
what does a writer invite the reader to do when they juxtapose two elements?
to compare, contrast, and consider the relationship between those elements more closely.
what effect does alliteration have on the reader?
Alliteration focuses readers’ attention on a particular section of text. Alliterative sounds create rhythm and mood and can have particular connotations. For example, repetition of the “s” sound often suggests a snake-like quality, implying slyness and danger.
what effect does a repeated “h” sound have?
the soft, breathy “H” sound can either have a soft, soothing effect, or suggest breathlessness
what effect does a repeated “b” sound have?
The hard, plosive “b” sound has a harsh, percussive effect that can add to the sinister nature of something, or create a sense of abruptness or authority
what effect does the repetition of a hard “C”/”K”/”Q” sound have?
the guttural, plosive “c”/”k”/”q” sound creates a feeling of hardness: too many create a cacophony and can reinforce the action. It can also give a sense of abruptness or authority.
what effects can the repetition of the soft “C” or “S” sound have?
Sibilance brings to mind snakes, a common image for evil
as with the biblical serpent; the sound of the wind in
trees or to create a hushed reverential tone. Suggests
smoothness, slyness, or controlled anger. Among other things, it can be used to:
1. create a sense of quickness and smoothness
2. signal controlled anger
3. suggest malice and slyness
4. create a sense of quiet
What effect can the repetition of the “D” sound have?
the hard, plosive “D” sound gives a sense of abruptness or authority, or it can elicit visceral reactions (e.g. a revolting and dismal effect on the reader)
what effect can the repetition of the “F”/”V” sound have?
the harsh physical sound can add the the sinister nature of something.
what is repetition of the sound “FL” suggestive of? (e.g. fly, flee, flow, etc.)
it is suggestive of lightness and quickness
what effect does the repetition of the “G” sound have?
the guttural, plosive “G” sounds harsh, and therefore creates a feeling of hardness
what does repetition of the “Gl” sound refer to? (e.g. gleam, glisten, glow)
it refers to brightness
what effect does repetition of the “L” sound have?
the soft, liquid consonant produces an effect of lightness, and has a soothing sound as it is often used in lullabies
what effect does repetition of the “M” sound have?
the soft “M” sound is often used in lullabies, and therefore has a soothing sound.
what effect does repetition of the “N” sound have?
the hard “N” sound adds a halting cadence to the grim, negative text
what effect does repetition of the “P” sound have?
the hard, plosive “P” sound can give a sense of abruptness or authority depending on the context.
e.g. in the sentence “from pillar to post, a pantomime of damp, forgotten washing”, the “P” recreates the puffs of wind blowing the washing about
what effect can the repetition of “R” have?
the rolling, liquid consonant can reflect the movement of the object being described with it, e.g. “the rapidly rising river rushed rampantly”
what effect does repetition of the “T” sound have?
the hard, plosive “t” sound gives a sense of abruptness or authority
what effect does the repetition of the “W” sound have?
“W” has a gliding, wispy and airy sound, creating a hushed feeling which is reinforced by the resemblance of the sound to the actual sound of wind.
what are “o” and “oo” sounds often used for?
they’re often used to create a sense of the ghostly
what is figurative language?
Figurative language is where words or phrases are used in a non-literal way for particular effect, for example simile, metaphor or personification. This creates comparisons by linking the senses and the concrete to abstract ideas.
what is the name for alliterated “s” sounds?
sibilance
what is a fricative?
a repeated “f” or “th” sound
what is the name for a repeated “f” or “th” sound?
a fricative
what effect do fricative sounds have?
when you say the “f” sound you naturally bare your teeth, giving the impression of violence, and suggesting a character’s violent intentions
