Literary Techniques

Question 1

Story with a double meaning: one primary (on the surface) and one secondary. An allegory is an extended metaphor where objects, persons and actions in a narrative are equated with meanings outside of the narrative. The meaning of an allegory can have moral, social, religious, or political significance, often relatable to the context of the author.

Answer 1

Allegory

Question 2

A subtle or indirect reference to another thing, text, historical period, or religious belief.

Answer 2

Allusion

Question 3

the repetition of sounds at the start of a word in two or more words in close proximity.

Answer 3

Alliteration

Question 4

A statement or aspect of a text that lacks a clear or singular meaning.

Answer 4

Ambiguity

Question 5

The act of attributing human qualities to a non-human figure.

Answer 5

Anthropomorphism

Question 6

occurs when similar vowel sounds appear close together. This repetition can occur anywhere in the word, not only at the start.

Answer 6

Assonance

Question 7

An over-used, common expression.

Answer 7

Cliché

Question 8

Repetition of consonants throughout a sentence or phrase.

Answer 8

Consonance

Question 9

the deliberate positioning of two or more objects/events/characters who have different characteristics. This is often done to accentuate their unique individual qualities.

Answer 9

Contrast

Question 10

Any text that instructs the reader or is obviously delivering a moral message.

Answer 10

Didactic

Question 11

Words that stir the readers’ emotions.

Answer 11

Emotive language

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Enjambment

Question 13

Mild expression used to replace a harsh one.

Answer 13

Euphemism

Question 14

Exclamatory sentence ending in “!” to convey high emotion.

Answer 14

Exclamation

Question 15

Metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, simile, personification, assonance, alliteration, consonance, onomatopoeia, etc. These devices have a powerful impact as they work on our senses to strengthen the subject matter of the text.

Answer 15

Figurative language

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Form

Question 17

an allusion to something that will happen later in the narrative.

Answer 17

Foreshadowing

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Flashback

Question 19

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.

Answer 19

Truncated/fragmented sentences

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Hyperbole

Question 21

What is not said; whose voice isn’t heard and whose voice dominates?

Answer 21

Gaps & silences

Question 22

Vivid pictures created by words. Reader visualises character/setting clearly.

Answer 22

Imagery

Question 23

Comparison of 2 objects where one becomes another – adds further layers of meaning about the object being compared.

Answer 23

Metaphor

Question 24

Human characteristics given to a non-human object. Inanimate objects take on a life.

Answer 24

Personification

Question 25

the attribution of human emotions to nonhuman objects, particularly objects of nature. Note that the term should just apply to the ascription of emotions, not thoughts or other properties.

Answer 25

Pathetic fallacy

Question 26

A statement that is self-contradictory or logically unacceptable but has valid reasoning based on a true premise. It is a juxtaposition of contradictory-yet-interrelated ideas which have a hidden truth.

Answer 26

Paradox

Question 27

The repetition of words or syntax (order of words) for emphasis or persuasion. Repetition does matter, but it is an extremely easy technique to identify, so you should refer to it sparingly, and always analyse it further. Never point out that repetition of a term emphasises the term. Instead, think critically about what the repetition actually suggests.

Answer 27

Repetition