!Structural devices Flashcards
Anaphora
In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of a sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect
e.g. the repetition of ‘I have a dream…’ in Martin Luther King’s famous speech
Analepsis
Breaking from the chronological sequence of events in a story by ‘flashing back’ to an event earlier (i.e. a flashback)
Circular narratives
When a story begins and ends in the same place.
Flashbacks are often used in this style of narrative, as this means the narrator starts at the climax, and tell us the story of how that point was reached.
Cohesion
Links between paragraphs
Enjambment
A line of poetry that runs on to the next line without a pause
e.g.
“I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.”
Foreshadowing
A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story
e.g. In Macbeth, several times it has been hinted that Lady Macbeth would drown in her own guilt by the end.
Juxtaposition
When two unlike ideas are placed side by side.
It is the placement of two unlike ideas, not the effect it may create. (which is why it is a structural device)
e.g. chaos/calm
Linear narrative
When the events in the story run chronologically.
Non-linear narrative
These narratives are structured seemingly randomly, but as each scene unfold it will gradually order the events
Paragraph sizes
Paragraph sizes can help enhance the mood/atmosphere of the story.
For example, long paragraphs (not too long) should be used to describe thing in detail, and to keep the story moving at a slow pace.
Whereas short paragraphs should be used to speed up the pace, and when the atmosphere is tense.
One sentence paragraphs can change the flow of writing, and should be used to create a shock or to remind the reader something.
Parallel narrative
A story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme.
Perspective change
Changing the point of view that the story is told (third person’s view to first person, etc.)
Purpose: Changing the perspective the story is told from can allow readers to learn about the characters themselves, making it more engaging for them.
It also adds more ‘layers’ to the story, making it more detailed and interesting.
Tense shift
In English grammar, tense shift refers to the change from one verb tense to another (usually from past to present, or vice versa) within a sentence or paragraph.
Purpose:
A writer may temporarily shift from past tense to present tense in order to enhance the vividness of a narrative account.
