Literary Techniques Flashcards
Allegory
Story-telling technique that employs symbolic characters, objects, or events to convey deeper meanings or messages.
(Like the tortoise and the hare story).
Alliteration
A series of words in a sentence or phrase begin with the same consonant sound, creating a rhythm of emphasis.
(She sells seashells)
Allusion
Reference to a person, place, event, etc. Often made indirectly or briefly. Purpose is to evoke meaning by using “things” the audience is likely to recognize. (He is acting like Scrooge today).
Ambiguity
Refers to a situation where a word, phrase, or statement that has more than one meaning, interpretation, or outcome. (I saw the man with the telescope, did he have the telescope or you)?
Anaphora
A word or group of words is repeated at the beginning of clauses, sentences, or lines to create emphasis. Often used in speeches to highlight a point. (“I have a dream”).
Antecedent
A word, phrase or clause that is referred to later by a pronoun. Pronoun replaces the antecedent to avoid repetition. (Sarah loves her dog. Sarah is the antecedent).
Antithesis
Two opposing ideas are placed in close proximity to create a contrast. (Give me liberty or give me death).
Aphorism
A short concise statement that expresses a general truth, principle, or observation about life. (Early bird gets the warm).
Apostrophe
A speaker addresses someone or something that is absent, dead, or non-humans as if it were present and capable of responding. (O’Freedom how sweet your name sounds) As if freedom were a person.
Cacophony
Harsh mixture of sounds. Creating jarring and tension.
(He grunted and gruffed as he ran).
Caricature
A description of a person, place, or thing that deliberately exaggerate certain features or characteristics for effect. (He was a walking, talking boast).
Catharsis
Usually in drama or storytelling. Refers to the emotional release or cleansing experienced by characters or audience. (Poetic language surrounding death in Romeo and Juliet).
Clause
Group of words that contains both a subject and predicate. (I enjoy reading. Subject = I, Predicate = enjoy reading), leave reader asking “why?”
Colloquialism
Use of informal words, that are common in everyday language but are avoided in writing/speech. (“Gonna head out now”).
Connotation
Emotional, cultural, or associative meanings attached to a word beyond its literal dictionary definition (denotation). (Home suggest warmth, comfort, and security).
Diction
Choice and use of words in speech and writing. Shapes tone, style, and meaning of text. “ (Sophisticated language).
Digression
When a speaker or writer temporarily shifts away from main topic to discuss something unrelated. (Speaking of Algebra…my teacher is very cool).
Ethos
Convincing reader that the speaker/writer is trustworthy. (As A doctor with 20 years of experience, I can say this treatment is safe).
Euphemism
Mild, polite, or indirect words or phrases used to replace one that might be considered harsh. (Passed away, instead of dead).
Foil
A character who contrasts with another. (Hero and villain).
Forshadowing
A writer gives hints or clues about events that will occur later. (I have a bad feeling about this)l.
Genre
A category or style of writing.
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally. (I am so hungry I could eat a horse).
Imagery
Descriptive language to create sensory experiences. (Drowned with the fume of poppies).
Invective
Involving harsh, abusive, or insulting language used to criticize or attack a person. Often used to express strong and negative language. (You are a nothing but a good-for-nothing coward).
Irony
Discrepancy between appearance and reality, expectation and outcome, or meaning and intention. (After a downpour, someone says “what lovely weather we are having”).
Logos
Appealing to logic or reasoning. Uses evidence. (studies show test scores have improved by 25%).
Metaphor
A direct comparison between 2 unrelated things. (Time is a thief, suggests that time, like a thief steals moments from our lives).
Metonomy
One word or phrase is substituted with another that is closely associated with it. (Dish as a substitute with a plate of food).
Mood
Emotional atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.
Motif
A recurring element, like an image, idea, symbol, and/or theme. (The green light in the Great Gatsby).
Narrative
Type of writing that conveys a sequence of events. Uses figurative language.
Onomatopoeia
A word imitates the natural sound it represents. (Sizzled, BAM).
Oxymoron
2 contradictory or opposing words/ideas are combined. (“Bittersweet” this is something both painful and pleasant).
Parable
A short, simple story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. (The boy who cried wolf).
Paradox
Statement that appears to contradict itself, but often conveys a deeper truth when examined. (“less is more” suggest simplicity leads to a greater impact).
Parody
A humorous limitation of a piece of work. Like mocking their style. (Space-balls is a parody of star wars).
Pastoral
Idealizes rural-life and nature, often portraying them as peaceful. (The meadow whispers secrets to the morning breeze).
Pathos
Appeals to emotions. (Just one dollar a life can save the day).
Personification
Human qualities, emotions, to actions are attributed to non-human entities. (the wind howled through the night).
POV
Perspective from which a story is told or an event is described. (1 person=”I”, 2 person = “you”, 3 person = “Sarah”
Rhetoric
Art of using language effectively and persuasively to inform, entertain, and influence.
Rhetorical Question
Question asked for effect or emphasis, rather than to get an answer. (Isn’t it time we took action to save the planet?).
Satire
Using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or expose human flaws, and social norms. (Baldwins impersonation of Donald Trump).
Setting
Time a place a story occurs.
