Literary Techniques for Prose (All)

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Question 2

Oxymoron

Answer 2

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a phrase

e.g. “…o brawling love, o loving hate, o anything, of nothing first created!”

Question 3

Paradox

Answer 3

A contradiction or dilemma

Question 4

Assonance

Answer 4

Repetition of similar vowel sounds

Question 5

Situation Irony

Answer 5

Contrast between what we expect to happen and what really happens

Question 6

Dramatic Irony

Answer 6

A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character

Question 7

Connotation

Answer 7

All the meanings, associations or emotions that a word suggests

Question 8

Irony

Answer 8

A statement that means the opposite of what it seems to mean

Question 9

Alliteration

Answer 9

Repetition of consonant sounds (creates mood)

Question 10

Verbal Irony

Answer 10

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant

Question 11

Symbolism

Answer 11

A person, place, thing or event that stands both for itself and for something beyond itself. (Universal symbols: dove=peace, heart=love)

Question 12

Metaphor

Answer 12

Compare objects by directly identifying one thing as another

Question 13

Direct Metaphor

Answer 13

Directly compares two things with a verb such as “is”

Question 14

Extended Metaphor

Answer 14

A metaphor that continues over a long span of time or throughout a piece of poetry

Question 15

Indirect Metaphor

Answer 15

Makes a comparison, but does so indirectly

Question 16

Personification

Answer 16

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.

Question 17

Similes

Answer 17

Compares two things using the words “like” or “as”

Question 18

Hyperbole

Answer 18

A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor

Question 19

Syntax

Answer 19

Arrangement of words in phrases and sentences

Question 20

Foils

Answer 20

A pair of characters, events, settings, or other elements which are set up in contrast to one another in order to highlight their differences

Question 21

Dialogue

Answer 21

Communication between two or more people

Question 22

Tone

Answer 22

Authors attitude towards the character or situation

Question 23

Punctuation Marks

Answer 23

Period (.), Comma (,), Colon (:), Question mark (?), Exclamation mark (!)

Question 24

Typography

Answer 24

The design, arrangement, style, and appearance of text

Question 25

Accent

Answer 25

Draw attention to something

Question 26

Vernacular

Answer 26

Everyday language

Question 27

Diction

Answer 27

A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words

Question 28

Colloquial Language

Answer 28

Slang or common language that is informal

Question 29

Actions

Answer 29

A behavior someone undertakes

Question 30

Juxtaposition

Answer 30

Placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast

Question 31

Flashbacks

Answer 31

Give us background information and insights into character motivations

Question 32

Flashforwards

Answer 32

Rare, may be used to present future events

Question 33

Form

Answer 33

Type of text

Question 34

Foreshadowing

Answer 34

Hints or clues about an upcoming event

Question 35

Narrative Structure

Answer 35

The content of a story and the form used to tell the story

Question 36

Parallel Plots

Answer 36

Multiple plots happening simultaneously

Question 37

Plot Twists

Answer 37

Unpredictable changes in direction in the plot - designed to keep the audience interested

Question 38

Red Herrings

Answer 38

Something that draws attention away from the central issue

Question 39

Register

Answer 39

Appropriate speech for the person being spoken to, or for the situation e.g. third-person, first-person

Question 40

Sub Plots

Answer 40

Long stories usually have them, minor plots that are part of larger stories.