Poetic Techniques

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

Direct or indirect reference to a familiar figure, place or event from history, literature, mythology or the Bible

Question 3

Assonance

Answer 3

Close repetition of similar vowel sounds, usually in stressed syllables

Question 4

Atmosphere/mood

Answer 4

Prevailing feeling that is created in a story or poem

Question 5

Cliche

Answer 5

Overused expression that has lost its intended force or novelty

Question 6

Connotation

Answer 6

Emotional suggestions attached to the words beyond their strict definitions

Question 7

Consonance

Answer 7

Close repetition of identical sounds before and after different vowels

Question 8

Extended metaphor

Answer 8

Implied comparison between two things which are essentially not alike and is continued throughout the selection

Question 9

Hyperbole

Answer 9

Exaggeration in the service of truth

Question 10

Idiom

Answer 10

Term or phrase that can’t be understood by literal translation but refers to a figurative meaning that is understood through common use

Question 11

Jargon

Answer 11

Language peculiar to a particular trade, profession or group

Question 12

Juxtaposition

Answer 12

Overlapping or mixing of opposite or different situations, characters, settings, moods or point of view to clarify meaning, purpose or character, heighten certain moods especially humour, horror, suspense and contrast

Question 13

Metaphor

Answer 13

Comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar and is implied rather than directly stated

Question 14

Meter

Answer 14

Any regular pattern of rhythm based on stressed and unstressed syllables

Question 15

Onomatopoeia

Answer 15

Use of words that sound like they mean

Question 16

Oxymoron

Answer 16

Two words placed close together which are contradictory yet have truth in them

Question 17

Paradox

Answer 17

Statement where there is an apparent contradiction which is actually true

Question 18

Persona

Answer 18

Voice who seems to be telling the poem

Question 19

Personification

Answer 19

Giving human attributes to an animal, object or idea

Question 20

Rhyme

Answer 20

Words that sound alike

Question 21

Rhyme scheme

Answer 21

Any pattern of rhymes in poetry, each new sound is assigned the next letter in the alphabet

Question 22

Rhythm

Answer 22

Series of stressed or accented syllables in a group of words, arranged so the reader expects a similar series to follow

Question 23

Simile

Answer 23

Comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar, the comparison is directly stated through words such as like, as, than or resembles

Question 24

Symbol

Answer 24

Two levels of meaning (literal and figurative level) can be characters, objects, events and settings

Question 25

Theme

Answer 25

Central idea of the story usually implied rather than directly stated. It is the writers idea about life and can be implied or directly stated through the voice of the speaker (don’t confuse with moral or plot)

Question 26

Tone

Answer 26

Poets attitude towards his/her subject or readers. Can be sarcastic or sincere

Question 27

Understatement

Answer 27

Saying less than what you mean in the service of truth

Question 28

Voice

Answer 28

Creating and artistic intelligence that we recognise behind any speaker