Literary Techniques

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity, usually in consecutive words within the same sentence or line.

Question 2

Anthropomorphism

Answer 2

Anthropomorphism is where animals or inanimate objects are portrayed in a story as people, such as by walking, talking, or being given arms, legs, facial features, human locomotion or other anthropoid form.

Question 3

Hyperbole

Answer 3

A hyperbole is a description which exaggerates, usually employing extremes and/or superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute; “hype.”

Question 4

Metaphor

Answer 4

A metaphor is a direct relationship where one thing or idea substitutes for another.

Question 5

Oxymoron

Answer 5

An oxymoron is a contradiction in terms.

Ex. a smart idiot

Question 6

Personification

Answer 6

Personification is giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas).

Question 7

Simile

Answer 7

A simile is an indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar to another. Similes usually contain the words “like” or “as,” but not always.

Question 8

Creative License

Answer 8

Creative License is an exaggeration or alteration of objective facts or reality, for the purpose of enhancing meaning in a fictional context.

Question 9

Onomatopoeia

Answer 9

Onomatopoeia is where sounds are spelled out as words; or, when words describing sounds actually sound like the sounds they describe.

Remarque uses onomatopoeia to suggest the dying soldier’s agony, his last gasp described as a “gurgling rattle.”