Literary Techniques Flashcards
Allegory
When a character, place or event can be interpreted to represent a meaning outside the narrative. It can have moral, social, religious and political significance.
Allusion
A subtle, indirect reference to another thing (text, history, religion)
Alliteration
Repetition of sounds at the start of the word in two or more words in close proximity.
Ambiguity
A statement lacking a clear or singular meaning.
Analogy
Comparing two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification
Anecdote
Personal story or account
Anomaly
When something deviates from what is normal or expected
Anthropomorphism
Giving human qualities to a non-human figure
Assonance
When a similar vowel sound occurs anywhere in the word. E.G “she sells sea shells by the sea shore”
Cliché
Overused common expression
Consonance
Repetition of constants throughout a sentence or phrase. E.G “My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains” repetition of “n” sound
Didactic
A text that instructs the reader and delivers a moral message.
Enjambment
Poetic technique when a sentence or phrase runs over more than one line or stanza.
Foreshadowing
An allusion to something that will happen later in the narrative
Euphemism
A mild expression used to replace a harsh one. “darn” instead of “damn”
Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Juxtaposition
Layering scenes/images to have a dramatic impact
Linear narrative
Chronological order
Non-linear narrative
Could be jumping between the times between scenes (not chronological)
Metaphor
Comparing two things that are otherwise unrelated
Modality
Certainty
High modality - certainty
medial modality - doubt that something will occur
low modality - uncertainty
Motif
Recurring symbol
Pathetic Fallacy
Attribution of human EMOTIONS to non-human objects
Personification
Human characteristics given to non-human objects.
