language techniques Flashcards
allegory
meaning : when characters and plot represent ideas that relate to morality, politics, or religion.
effect: allegory allows authors and creators to explore often overwhelming and controversial ideas in an approachable manner.
alliteration
meaning : use of the same latter or sound at the beginning of consecutive words or words in close proximity
effect : alliteration draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. it not only draws the eye of the reader on the page, but the phrase has more emphasis when read
allusion
meaning : a way of making reference to something else without explicitly stating what it is you’re referring to
effect : allusion allows authors to infer meaning by creating parallels between the text and whatever it is that they’re alluding to. it can also be used in the opposite manner, to create contrast between the author’s argument and their allusion.
anaphora
meaning : when words repeat at the beginning of consecutive sentences, clauses, or lines in poetry
effect : anaphora is used like alliteration to create emphasis and draw the eye of the reader, creating rhythm and injecting emotion into the text.
archetypes
meaning : an archetype is effectively a stereotype of a character or thing. it is a model around which certain character types are built. (ie. a tragic hero)
effect : archetypes are used to build a connection between the reader and the characters in the text. It prompts a feeling of familiarity which causes readers to become more emotionally invested in a text.
aphorism
meaning : a short statement about a widely accepted truth. these are often amusing or witty in nature
effect : use of aphorisms built trust between the reader and the writer; by making use of universal truths, the reader comes to understand the writer as trustworthy, thus increasing engagement and helping persuade them of the writer’s argument.
assonance
meaning : repetition of similar vowel sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity
effect : like alliteration and anaphora, assonance creates rhythm in a text. it allows readers t interpret a sentence the way that authors intended by making clear which vowel sound should be stressed.
caesura
meaning : a stop in the middle of a metrical line. this usually comes in the form of commas, dashes, or colons in the middle of a line of poetry.
effect : caesura gives a choppy and dysfunctional tone to the text, while simultaneously increasing reading pace. increasing pace builds tension, and can help relay feelings of frustration or confusion to a reader.
chiasmus
meaning : the reversal of phrases of gratification structures in consecutive phrases or sentences
effect : chiasmus adds emphasis to a portion of the text, drawing the reader’s eye and making sentences stand out more. Reversing a phrase just after using it engages the reader’s attention by disrupting the structure of the text
consonance
meaning : repetition of a similar consonant sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity
effect : consonance is remarkably similar to assonance, and it also helps create rhythm in a text. it makes a sentence more pleasing to the ear, thus increasing reader engagement.
contrast
meaning : a rhetorical device in which the writer draws attention to the difference between two characters, things, or events
effect : through comparing and contrasting, writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements, further engaging the reader.
dichotomy
meaning : a division into two opposite groups
effect : dichotomies are often used to create and build tension in a story line; they allow the reader to clearly understand emotional engagement
diction
meaning : the words a writer chooses to use to best convey their message
effect : diction is responsible for the way a reader interprets a text, and can be used in any way a writer pleases. it can be used to emphasise characters’ emotions, or repression of emotions. it can be used to create a more romantic tone, or an aggressive tone.
didacticism
meaning : when the main purpose of a text is to teach the reader a lesson, often a moral one. It can also apply to characters in a text
effect : didactic tone is often applied throughout an entire text and it prompts deeper thought by the reader. it encourages a deeper understanding of the text, which in turn increases their engagement.
‘didactic text’
dissonace
meaning : use of harsh and interrupting sounds in text, particularly with use of words that generally do not work together
effect : dissonance creates a tone of tension and unease, building suspense for the reader and relaying emotions felt by the characters.
ellipsis
meaning: often presented as ‘…’ or ‘-‘ it is used to pause for dramatic effect
effect: when used as a pause, ellipses builds tension by creating a silence not found in literature. It is often used when characters trail off, and often holds some implied meaning. In this case, it encourages deeper engagement by the readers, who must consider the meaning of the ellipses.
enjambment
meaning: when a sentence continues beyond the end of a line without use of punctuation. This is often seen in poetry and rhymed verse.
Effect: enjambment increases the pace of a section of text by forcing the reader to continue reading without a break. Increasing the pace builds tension and suspense, and it can be used to indicate a character’s state of mind.
epigraph
meaning: a quote, poem, or phrase set at the beginning of a section.
effect: epigraphs are generally not mentioned in the main body of text, so their sole purpose is to set the tone of the text. they establish a certain mood and let readers know what they should expect from the text.
euphemism
meaning: language used to imply something unpleasant or impolite
effect: euphemisms are used to mask the impoliteness or rudeness of a remark, and it softens an uncomfortable topic. It is often used in Shakespeare as a symbol of a character’s superior intellect
foreshadowing
meaning: a warning of what’s next to come in a text
effect: foreshadowing increases narrative tension by giving readers an implication of what is to come. this is especially potent when used to foreshadow a distressing event while the plot is calm.
hyperbole
meaning: figurative speech used for exaggeration.
effect: hyperbole often adds an element of comedy amusement to a text, and it allows an author to add excitement to a tedious or mundane subject.
idiom
meaning: an expression used by native speakers to mean something other than its literal meaning.
- effect: idioms are used to increase reader engagement by establishing similarities between text and normal speech. they are also used to establish character backgrounds and personality, because idioms vary from region to region.
- e.g ‘whats done is done’
juxtaposition
meaning: two things placed next to each other for contrast
effect: juxtaposition is used to draw attention to the differences between two things. it is useful for establishing character personalities in the context of each other
microcosm
meaning: a community or situation intended to represent the characteristics of something much larger
effect: microcosms are used to force the reader to consider the bigger picture, making them examine the wider picture as they read.
monologue
meaning: long, uninterrupted speech made by a character in a play
effect: monologues are often used to provide the audience with more detail about a character or plot point. They help to explain the progress of the text’s story line.
motif
meaning: a repeating idea used to dictate tone and emphasise themes
effect: motifs help readers understand characters better and it establishes the mood of the text. it is a key way of increasing reader engagement with the text
onomatopoeia
meaning: words that sounds like the sounds that they are describing
effect: onomatopoeia is often used in poetry to add depth to the text. Using words that sound like how they are written engages the reader’s senses, encouraging deeper emotional involvement.
oxymoron
meaning: a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are used consecutively
effect : oxymorons are used to draw the reader’s attention; the element of confusion they create causes readers to stop and ponder the meaning of the phrase.
paradox
meaning: a contradictory statement
effect : it creates a sense of confusion or discomfort or it can contrast two ideas, highlighting each idea.
pathetic fallacy
meaning: when the weather reflects the mood
effect: when a character’s emotions are reflected in their environment, it is easier for the reader to understand and empathise with the character.
pathos
meaning: evoking a certain feeling in the reader/audience. pathos is most often used for sadness, or pity
effect: pathos appeals to the emotions of the reader, strengthening connections between the reader and the characters, and thus reader engagement.
plosive sounds
meaning: harsh sounds associated with the letters p, t, k, b, d and g which interrupt airflow by closing the mouth
effect: plosive sounds are harsh, and help convey complex emotions like frustration and anger. this allows readers to more deeply understand the emotions at play in a scene
political diatribe
meaning: the way a text is written to criticise a political system or belief.
effect: political diatribes are used to encourage deeper thought from the reader about the topic at hand. they are intended to force readers to scrutinise their own understanding of the topic.
sibilance
meaning: repetition of hissing sounds, such as alliteration using the letter S
effect: like alliteration, sibilance draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. It is frequently used to create a negative atmosphere.
soliloquy
meaning: a monologue intended only to be heard by the audience and the character speaking. they are often used to explain the innermost thoughts of a character.
effect: soliloquies give us insight into the internal happenings in the play, often explaining things that we wouldn’t have found out otherwise. like monologues, soliloquies play a key role in progressing the story line.
syntax
meaning: the way words are arranged in a sentence
effect: syntax helps writers to establish mood and tone, and works in combination with diction to express the writer’s thoughts and feelings on a topic.
tone
meaning: the literary manifestation of an author’s thoughts and feelings on a certain topic. this encompasses diction and use of other devices.
effect: tone reflects the author’s feelings, and thus it creates a connection between the reader and the author. Devices are often used to create a relationship between the reader and characters in the text, but tone gives us more of an insight into the writer.
