Literary Techniques Flashcards
Epiphany
a moment of profound awareness and realization, after which the character who experiences it sees life in a different way
Metaphor
A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as
Simile
A comparison of two unlike things using like/as
Personification
a simile or metaphor that endows something inanimate with human or animal characteristics
Parallelism
phrases, clauses, or words of similar constructions placed side by side; also, characters and situations can be parallel
Repetition
Reuse of the same word for rhythm or emphasis
Foil
a character of the same age and gender as a second character who highlights that person’s qualities by parallels and contrasts. The foil must be of the same age and gender.
Private Symbol
an object in the story that represents an intangible idea that depends on the context of the story
Universal symbol
an object in the story that represents an intangible idea generally recognized
Dramatic irony
an ironic effect that occurs when a character is kept ignorant of facts revealed to the audience; thus their actions will have another level of meaning for the audience
Situational irony
An ironic effect that occurs when the outcome of a situation is opposite form the ending the author has been leading toward
Imagery
Concrete details distend to appeal to one or more of the reader’s five senses
Auditory imagery
Imagery relating the sense of hearing
Tactile Imagery
Imagery relating to the sense of touch
Olfactory imagery
Imagery recalling to the sense of smell
Gustatory imagery
Imagery relating to the sense of taste
Absolute terms
A word that indicates a superlative state
Examples; worst, best, all, none, only, always, etc.
Hyperbole
A deliberate exaggeration used to emphasize a point
Juxtaposition
A device that places normally un associated words, ideas, or phrases next to each other for a witty or surprising effect
Antithesis
A parallel opposite
Allusion
A reference to a person, place, or thing from literature, art, history, religion, or popular culture. The author expects the reader to be familiar with the reference.
