Poetic Techniques Flashcards
What is alliteration? Give an example
The first letter of a word is repeated in words that follow; the cold, crisp, crust of clean, clear ice
What is assonance? Give an example
The same vowel sound is repeated but the consonants are repeated; he passed her a sharp, dark glance, shot a cool, foolish look across the room
What is colloquial? Give an example
Language used in speech with an informal meaning ‘chill’, ‘out of this world’
What is dialect? Give an example
The version of language spoken by particular people in a particular area, such as Scots
What is dialogue?
Conversation between two people, sometimes an imagined conversation between narrator and reader.
What is dissonance? Give an example
A harsh, jarring combination of sounds; the clash, spew and slow pang of grinding waves again the quay
What is enjambment?
A device used in poetry where a sentence continues beyond the end of the line or verse
What is hyperbole? Give an example
Exaggerating something for literary purposes which is not meant to be taken literally; we gorged on banquet of beans on toast
What is imagery? What main three more specific techniques are used to create imagery?
Similes, metaphors and personification; they all compare something real with something imagined
What is irony?
The humours or sarcastic use of words or ideas, implying the opposite of what they mean
What is metaphor? Give an example
A word or phrase used to imply figurative (not literal or ‘actual’) resemblance; he flew into the room
What is monologue? How is it presented?
An uninterrupted speech showing the characters importance/mental state, delivered in soliloquy to audience, or in front of other characters
What is onomatopoeia? Give an example
A word that sound like the noise it’s describing; splash, bang, pop, hiss
What is oxymoron? Give an example
Where two words normally not associated are brought together; cold heat, bitter sweet
What is pathos?
Language that evokes feelings of pity or sorrow
