Language Techniques đź“” Flashcards
Simile
A figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as” to make a descriptive and relatable comparison.
Ex:
I was as cool as a cucumber
Heron was like a lion in the fight
Metaphor
A figure of speech that describes something by saying it’s something else. It is not meant to be taken literally.
Ex:
Life is a highway.
Al is a snake in the grass.
Hannah is a flying fish.
Alliteration
The occurence of the same letter at the beginning of closely connected words.
Ex:
I have heard how hedgehogs hog the hedge
Wind whistles through the air
Rain races, rattling rocks with restless rage
Anecdote
A short, usually humourous story about a real person or event that happened, usually to make a point or teach a lesson.
Ex:
Some students are discussing exams. A friend describes an incident where he fell asleep during a test.
Triple
Using three related words or phrases to grab attention or summarize. Could be three sentences, three lines of a poem or even three individual words.
Ex:
Luka’s mansion was eerie, glacial and dark.
Remember to stop, look and listen.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!
Allegory
A narrative story that conveys a hidden / abstract message.
Ex:
The tortoise and the hare
Little Red Riding Hood
Allusion
An expression to make a reference to somthing without mentioning it explicitly.
Ex:
The smell of donuts is like kryptonite to me.
That was always my Achilles’ heel.
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds across a phrase or text.
Ex:
Hop-scotch
Great flakes
Between trees
The Kind Knight Rides By
Anaphora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of succesive clauses or sentences.
Ex:
I wish I may; I wish I might.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Monkey see, monkey do.
Catharsis
An emotional release for the reader when the characters encounter intense emotions. It’s like a way to get rid of your own negative emotions by watching the characters in the story deal with theirs.
Ex:
“The Lion King”: When Simba becomes a hero after his father’s death, we feel happy and relieved.
“Harry Potter”: When Harry and friends defeat Voldermort, we feel triumphant.
Connotation
The extra emotion a word gives you beyond its basic meaning.
Ex:
“Home” feels warm and cozy.
“Summer” brings thoughts of sunny and fun times.
Consonance
When similar consonant sounds repeat in words close together, adding a musical quality to the writing.
Ex:
“Little kittens sitting on a mat”
“She sells seashells by the seashore”
Denouement
The conclusion to a story, when the main conflict is resolved.
Ex:
When detective reveals bad guy.
Deus ex Machina
A sudden, unrealistic solution to the conflict that is unexpected.
Ex: Prot. about to lose, suddenly superhero comes to save.
Deuteragonist
Second protagonist.
