Literary Techniques Flashcards
Allegory
an extended metaphor where objects, persons and actions in a narrative are equated with meanings outside of the narrative.
Allusion
A subtle or indirect reference to another thing, text, historical period, or religious belief.
Analogy
A comparison of two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Anecdote
An interesting or unique personal story or account.
Anthropomorphism
The act of attributing human qualities to a non-human figure.
Cliché
An over-used, common expression.
Consonance
Repetition of consonants throughout a sentence or phrase.
Contrast
Contrast is the deliberate positioning of two or more objects/events/characters who have different characteristics
Diction
The selective choice of words and style of expression by an author.
Disjunction
a type of sentence adverb that comments on the content or manner of what is being said or written.
Emotive language
Words that stir the readers’ emotions.
Euphemism
Mild expression used to replace a harsh one.
]Metaphor
Comparison of 2 objects where one becomes another – adds further layers of meaning about the object being compared.
Motif
A motif is an image, sound, figure, character archetype or object which has a symbolic reference to a particular theme or idea
Pathetic Fallacy
Pathetic fallacy is the attribution of human emotions to nonhuman objects, particularly objects of nature.
