Techniques - Language Flashcards
alliteration
the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in close succession
allegory
a story, character, place, or event is used to convey a hidden meaning, typically moral or political, about real-world events or issues
e.g. his death is an allegory for the risk of killing kings
allusion
an indirect reference to another event, person or work which the writer assumes the reader is familiar with
antithesis
the direct opposite of a concept of person
archetype
a person or thing who is a typical example of something, usually a personality type, with clear, recognisable characteristics
bathos
an anti-climax which is abrupt; usually humour that comes from an odd and sudden change in tone
biblical
language that relates to the bible and thus has religious connotations
blazon
a poem in which the speaker describes a woman’s physique by focusing on and listing various individual parts of a woman’s body
caricature
an imitation where particular notable characteristics are exaggerated to a comic or grotesque effect
colloquialism
an informal word or phrase used in normal or familiar conversation
comic relief
relief from tension caused by the introduction of a comedic element
connotation
an impression, idea, or feeling associated with a word or phrase beyond its literal meaning
dichotomy
a division or contrast between two opposed things
dramatic irony
when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters discussing or experiencing it, meaning they know whether a character’s prediction or statement is correct
double entendre
words or phrases that have a double meaning and is deliberately ambiguous, especially when one of the meanings is risqué
e.g. in Elizabethan England, “die” referred to both death and orgasm
dysphemism
the substitution of a more offensive term for one considered less so
epithet
a word or phrase applied to a person to describe an actual or credited quality
e.g. “star crossed lovers”
epitome
a perfect example of a specific quality
epizeuxis
the repetition of words in succession within the same sentence
euphemsism
the substitution of a harmless term of one that is considered as offensively risqué or explicit
extended metaphor
a metaphor that continues over many sentences and could even extend throughout the entire play
foreshadowing
a device in which an author suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the play
grotesque
ugly and distorted, physically or figuratively, in a way that is comic or repulsive
hyperbole
an extravagant exaggeration of fact, used either for serious or comic effect
ideology
a system of beliefs and ideals, typically forming a framework for a political policy or a religion
imagery
use of language which is visually descriptive or symbolic
innuendo
an implicit remark or hint, particularly one that is supposed to be suggestive or inappropriate
interjection
a sudden remark, used often as an interruption or aside in a text
irony
the use of words where the meaning is contrary to what is expected to actually occur
juxtaposition
a literary technique that places two opposing words, phrases or events side by side, often for the main purpose of comparing or contrasting them
e.g. “here’s much to do with hate but more to do with love”
metaphor
describing a person, object, or concept as something it cannot literally be, but that has recognisable and defining implications for it
manifestation
a physical expression or realisation of an abstract idea through a character, object, place, or event
motif
an element that reoccurs, such as a word, phrase, idea, image, action, character or symbol that appears throughout the play for emphasis
oxymoron
a form of paradox that combines a pari of contrasting terms into a single sometimes unique expression
e.g. “o happy dagger”
parable
a story used to teach a moral or spiritual lesson, typically told in the Bible by Jesus
parody
imitating a particular style, genre or piece of work with deliberate exaggeration to create a comic effect
pathetic fallacy
when human emotions or characteristics are given to objects, nature or the weather
personification
giving something non-human a human trait, capability, or personality
pun
a play on words which suggest multiple meanings
sarcasm
saying the opposite of what one means or something that is obviously not true or reasonable, in order to mock or show contempt
satire
using irony, exaggeration, humour, or ridicule to criticise someone’s stupidity or cruel behaviour, particularly in a political context
semantic field
using words that are linked by a particular concept, context, or connotation throughout a text or section of a text
sibilance
the repetition of an “s” sound in a word, sentence, or section of text
simile
comparing something to something else in a nonliteral way, in order to convey a particular idea or quality about the original thing
situational irony
when the outcome of an event is different than what was expected by the characters and the audience
symbolism
using a character, object or event to represent something else, particularly an abstract idea
trope
a particular type of character, event, or setting that is used frequently in stories
e.g. ‘damsel in distress’
zoomorphism
imagery repressing animal forms
