language devices + meanings

Question 1

what effect does a metaphor have?

Answer 1

metaphors create images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language. Metaphorical language activates the imagination, and the writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions through metaphor.

Question 2

what effect do similes and metaphors have?

Answer 2

metaphors and similes activate the imagination, creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind, helping to engage and absorb them. Images are easier to understand and respond to than literal language, which means that writers often use similes and metaphors to make their meanings clearer and vivid in the readers mind, as the writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions through metaphor. The use of these devices can create a variety of effects, from revealing mood to illuminating characters and settings

Question 3

what effect does imagery have?

Answer 3

Imagery can make something abstract, like an emotion or theory, seem more concrete and tangible to the reader. By using imagery, writers can evoke the feeling they want to talk about in their readers…and by making their readers feel, writers can also help readers connect to the messages in their work

Question 4

what is imagery?

Answer 4

a literary device that uses figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create an image in the reader’s mind. Imagery is not limited to visual representations or mental images, but also includes physical sensations and internal emotions

Question 5

what is symbolism?

Answer 5

the use of an object to represent a concept

Question 6

what does symbolism do?

Answer 6

make the core ideas of your writing concrete

Question 7

what is personification a powerful way to do?

Answer 7

foster empathy in your readers

Question 8

what is hyperbole?

Answer 8

exaggeration

Question 9

what are 4 uses of hyperbole?

Answer 9

for comedy, to exaggerate a point, to grab a readers attention, as a symbol

Question 10

why is hyperbole used as a symbol?

Answer 10

hyperbole as a symbol is used often in conversation to emphasize a point

Question 11

what effect does irony have in literature?

Answer 11

although in can be a method for evoking humour, irony in literature is intended to provoke the reader into thinking harder and analyzing a situation. by comparing and contrasting reality with suppositions about reality, the reader is able to arrive at a better understanding of the author’s intent

Question 12

what is juxtaposition used for in poetry?

Answer 12

to build tension or highlight an important contrast

Question 13

what effect does juxtaposition have?

Answer 13

juxtaposition can have the effect of absurdity or humour, or create a link between elements and images that appear unrelated until they are paired. it can also have an ironic or thought-provoking effect

Question 14

what does a writer invite the reader to do when they juxtapose two elements?

Answer 14

to compare, contrast, and consider the relationship between those elements more closely.

Question 15

what effect does alliteration have on the reader?

Answer 15

Alliteration focuses readers’ attention on a particular section of text. Alliterative sounds create rhythm and mood and can have particular connotations. For example, repetition of the “s” sound often suggests a snake-like quality, implying slyness and danger.

Question 16

what effect does a repeated “h” sound have?

Answer 16

the soft, breathy “H” sound can either have a soft, soothing effect, or suggest breathlessness

Question 17

what effect does a repeated “b” sound have?

Answer 17

The hard, plosive “b” sound has a harsh, percussive effect that can add to the sinister nature of something, or create a sense of abruptness or authority

Question 18

what effect does the repetition of a hard “C”/”K”/”Q” sound have?

Answer 18

the guttural, plosive “c”/”k”/”q” sound creates a feeling of hardness: too many create a cacophony and can reinforce the action. It can also give a sense of abruptness or authority.

Question 19

what effects can the repetition of the soft “C” or “S” sound have?

Answer 19

Sibilance brings to mind snakes, a common image for evil
as with the biblical serpent; the sound of the wind in
trees or to create a hushed reverential tone. Suggests
smoothness, slyness, or controlled anger. Among other things, it can be used to:
1. create a sense of quickness and smoothness
2. signal controlled anger
3. suggest malice and slyness
4. create a sense of quiet

Question 20

What effect can the repetition of the “D” sound have?

Answer 20

the hard, plosive “D” sound gives a sense of abruptness or authority, or it can elicit visceral reactions (e.g. a revolting and dismal effect on the reader)

Question 21

what effect can the repetition of the “F”/”V” sound have?

Answer 21

the harsh physical sound can add the the sinister nature of something.

Question 22

what is repetition of the sound “FL” suggestive of? (e.g. fly, flee, flow, etc.)

Answer 22

it is suggestive of lightness and quickness

Question 23

what effect does the repetition of the “G” sound have?

Answer 23

the guttural, plosive “G” sounds harsh, and therefore creates a feeling of hardness

Question 24

what does repetition of the “Gl” sound refer to? (e.g. gleam, glisten, glow)

Answer 24

it refers to brightness

Question 25

what effect does repetition of the “L” sound have?

Answer 25

the soft, liquid consonant produces an effect of lightness, and has a soothing sound as it is often used in lullabies

Question 26

what effect does repetition of the “M” sound have?

Answer 26

the soft “M” sound is often used in lullabies, and therefore has a soothing sound.

Question 27

what effect does repetition of the “N” sound have?

Answer 27

the hard “N” sound adds a halting cadence to the grim, negative text

Question 28

what effect does repetition of the “P” sound have?

Answer 28

the hard, plosive “P” sound can give a sense of abruptness or authority depending on the context.
e.g. in the sentence “from pillar to post, a pantomime of damp, forgotten washing”, the “P” recreates the puffs of wind blowing the washing about

Question 29

what effect can the repetition of “R” have?

Answer 29

the rolling, liquid consonant can reflect the movement of the object being described with it, e.g. “the rapidly rising river rushed rampantly”

Question 30

what effect does repetition of the “T” sound have?

Answer 30

the hard, plosive “t” sound gives a sense of abruptness or authority

Question 31

what effect does the repetition of the “W” sound have?

Answer 31

“W” has a gliding, wispy and airy sound, creating a hushed feeling which is reinforced by the resemblance of the sound to the actual sound of wind.

Question 32

what are “o” and “oo” sounds often used for?

Answer 32

they’re often used to create a sense of the ghostly

Question 33

what is figurative language?

Answer 33

Figurative language is where words or phrases are used in a non-literal way for particular effect, for example simile, metaphor or personification. This creates comparisons by linking the senses and the concrete to abstract ideas.

Question 34

what is the name for alliterated “s” sounds?

Answer 34

sibilance

Question 35

what is a fricative?

Answer 35

a repeated “f” or “th” sound

Question 36

what is the name for a repeated “f” or “th” sound?

Answer 36

a fricative

Question 37

what effect do fricative sounds have?

Answer 37

when you say the “f” sound you naturally bare your teeth, giving the impression of violence, and suggesting a character’s violent intentions