Literary Techniques Flashcards
Simile
Definition: A comparison between two things using “like” or “as” (e.g., “Her smile was like the sun”).
Effect: Creates vivid imagery and helps the reader visualize or understand the subject more clearly by comparing it to something familiar.
Metaphor
Definition: A direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting they are the same (e.g., “Time is a thief”).
Effect: Encourages the reader to think about the deeper meaning of the comparison, adding layers of understanding.
Personification
Definition: Giving human characteristics to non-human things (e.g., “The wind whispered through the trees”).
Effect: Brings inanimate objects or abstract ideas to life, making descriptions more relatable and engaging.
Alliteration
Definition: The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words (e.g., “She sells seashells by the seashore”).
Effect: Creates a musical quality, draws attention to specific words, and can create mood or emphasize particular themes.
Assonance
Definition: The repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words (e.g., “The early bird catches the worm”).
Effect: Enhances the mood and rhythm of a passage, contributing to its flow and emotional resonance.
Onomatopea
Definition: Words that imitate sounds (e.g., “buzz,” “crash,” “sizzle”).
Effect: Creates a sensory experience by allowing the reader to “hear” the sounds described, making the writing more immersive.
Hyperbole
Definition: Exaggeration for emphasis or effect (e.g., “I’ve told you a million times”).
Effect: Emphasises the significance or intensity of a situation or feeling, often adding humor or dramatic flair.
Imagery
Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (e.g., “The scent of fresh rain filled the air”).
Effect: Paints a mental picture and evokes sensory experiences, helping the reader fully immerse in the text.
Oxymoron
Definition: A combination of contradictory terms (e.g., “bittersweet”).
Effect: Highlights complexity or tension, provoking thought or capturing conflicting emotions.
Irony
Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality, often in the form of verbal irony (saying the opposite of what is meant), situational irony (an outcome different from expectations), or dramatic irony (the audience knows something the characters do not).
Effect: Adds humor, suspense, or depth by highlighting the disparity between appearance and reality.
Foreshadowing
Definition: Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
Effect: Builds anticipation and tension, encouraging readers to make predictions and keep reading to see if they are correct.
Symbolism
Definition: Using an object, person, or situation to represent something beyond its literal meaning (e.g., a dove representing peace).
Effect: Adds deeper meaning, invites interpretation, and enriches the themes of a work.
Allusion
Definition: Using an object, person, or situation to represent something beyond its literal meaning (e.g., a dove representing peace).
Effect: Adds deeper meaning, invites interpretation, and enriches the themes of a work.
Juxtaposition
Definition: Placing two contrasting ideas or things side by side (e.g., “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”).
Effect: Highlights differences or contradictions, often to create tension or emphasize an idea.
Anaphora
Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses (e.g., “I have a dream…”).
Effect: Adds rhythm and emphasis, reinforcing the key message and making it more memorable.
