LITERARY TECHNIQUES Flashcards

1
Q

Absurdism

A

focuses on the characters in a situation where they cannot add any meaning or purpose, which questions the truth and value of life.

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2
Q

Allegory

A

An allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a hidden meaning with moral or political significance.

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3
Q

Alliteration

A

Alliteration is the conspicuous repetition of initial consonant sounds of nearby words in a phrase, often used as a literary device.

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4
Q

Analogy

A

Analogy is a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

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5
Q

Anaphora

A

Is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of every clause.

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6
Q

Anecdote

A

An anecdote is a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

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7
Q

Anomaly

A

In a text, an anomaly is something which deviates from what is normal or expected

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8
Q

Apostrophe

A

Apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not present or to a personified object

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9
Q

Assonance

A

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together in a sentence or verse.

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10
Q

Cliché

A

An over-used, common expression

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11
Q

Diacope

A

Is the repetition of words or phrases with one or more new words in between.

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12
Q

Consonance

A

Consonance is the repetition of the same consonant sounds in a line of text.

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13
Q

Dialect

A

A dialect is a form of English spoken by a particular group, such as a group of people from a particular region.

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14
Q

Dialogue

A

A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.

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15
Q

Diction

A

Diction is the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

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16
Q

Emotive language

A

Words that stir the readers emotions

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17
Q

Enjambment

A

A poetic technique is when a sentence or phrase runs over more than one line(or stanza). Enjambment is an interesting technique. Visually, this gives the sense that the poem flows between lines. However, in utterance, enjambment leads to a pause between the lines when spoken aloud. This effect is known as REJET. Composers often use this to disrupt the flow of a poem or contrast distinct images or ideas.

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18
Q

Epistrophe

A

Is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several sentences or clauses in a row.

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19
Q

Form

A

Purpose and features of a text influence its construction and will suggest its structure

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20
Q

Flashback

A

A flashback is a scene appearing in a text that occurs earlier than the main narrative. Flashbacks can have many effects.

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21
Q

Fragmented/Truncated sentences

A

Incomplete sentences used to increase tension or urgency, or reflect the way people speak to each other. Sentence fragments are sentences that cannot stand on their own.

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22
Q

Free Verse

A

No set structure or rhyme.

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23
Q

Hyperbole

A

A literary term for exaggeration. This is a simple technique, so refer to it sparingly

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24
Q

Visual Imagery

A

It uses qualities of how something looks visually to best create an image in the reader’s head.

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25
Auditory Imagery
Auditory imagery is a form of mental imagery that is used to organize and analyze sounds when there is no external auditory stimulus present.
26
Gustatory Imagery
The poet appeals to the reader's sense of taste by describing something the speaker or narrator of the poem tastes.
27
Olfactory Imagery
Olfactory refers to that which we can smell. Thus, olfactory imagery refers to descriptions of smells and odors.
28
Tactile Imagery
Tactile imagery is used to describe something by focusing on aspects that can be felt or touched.
29
Intertextuality
When a text makes a reference to other texts. This reference can be an explicit quotation or implied and inferred by allusion.
30
In Media res
This means 'in the middle of things, and it refers to narratives that begin in the middle of the action.
31
Irony
Whenever a person says something or does something that departs from what they (or we) expect them to say or do.
32
Juxtaposition
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting and dramatic effects.
33
Level of language(also known as register)
This refers to the level of sophistication of a piece of language. - SLANG: Hey, youse goin, cuz' ? - COLLOQUIAL: G'day, how ya going, mate? - INFORMAL: How're you doing? - FORMAL: Hello, how are you today, Ms?
34
Linear narrative
In a linear narrative, authors simply tell the reader what happens in their story chronollogically
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Non-linear narrative
Non-linear narratives are not in chronological order.
36
Metaphor
Comparison of two objects where one becomes another- adds further layers of meaning about the object being compared
37
Modality
The certainty that a speaker employs in their language. - HIGH MODALITY: Certainty. e.g. "It will hail today" - MEDIAL MODALITY(also called SEMI MODALITY): Doubt that something should occur will occur. e.g. "It ought to rain today" - LOW MODALITY: Uncertainty. e.g." It may rain today"
38
Motif
A motif is an image, sound, figure, character archetype, or object which has a symbolic reference to a particular theme or idea. A motif is a recurring symbol with a figurative meaning and is quite easy to spot due to its prominence.
39
Non-linear narrative
Events in a story portrayed out of chronological order. Events do not follow a causality sequence that creates a sense of incompletion and chaos in a disillusioned society, trying to find meaning in a meaningless world.
40
Onomatopoeia
A word that echoes the sound it represents. The reader hears what is happening. e.g. Boom! the fireworks exploded on set.
41
Paradox
A statement that is self-contradictory or logically unacceptable but has valid reasoning based on a true premise.
42
Pathetic Fallacy
The Pathetic Fallacy is the attribution of human emotions to objects of nature. e.g. 'The raindrops wept around him'
43
First Person
Refers to the speaker himself or a group that includes the speaker e.g. I, me, we, us.
44
Second Person
Refers to the speaker's audience e.g. you
45
Subjective Time
The personal, internal experience of time which emulates the way individuals experience or perceive time very differently
46
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Third Person
Refers to everybody else e.g. he, him, she, her, it, they, them.
48
Personification
Human characteristics are given to a non-human object. Inanimate objects take on life.
49
Plosive
Harshe sounds to emphasize on meaning e.g. p, t, k, b, d, g.
50
Repetition
The repetition of words or syntax(order of words) for emphasis or persuasion.
51
Rhyme
Correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
52
Setting
Location of a story - internal and external
53
Sibilance
The repetition of soft consonant sounds e.g. s, ci and some z sounds
54
Simile
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind is used to make a description more emphatic or vivid
55
Stream of Consciousness
Is a "ramble" with a mix of interesting syntax, reflective thoughts, and non-conventional grammar, which reveals inner emotions, character, thoughts, opinions, which reflects on the characters struggles and views on society.
56
Symbolism
When an object represents one or more(often complex) ideas.
57
Tense
Present, past, future(events are predicted). This is an important commonplace feature of grammar. Tense is an important aspect of narrative form and can tell the audience when things are occurring.
58
Textual Integrity
The organic unit of a text.Its use of universal themes.
59
Theme
Message or moral of a story- makes us ponder bigger issues in life.
60
Tone
The way the composer or character feels- is conveyed by word choice.
61
Zoomorphisim
The attribution of animal properties to non-animals.