Basic Language Techniques

Question 1

What does assonance mean?

Answer 1

Repetition of a similar vowel sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity

Question 2

What is the effect of assonance?

Answer 2

• Like alliteration and anaphora, assonance creates rhythm in a text
• Allows readers to interpret a sentence the way the author intended by making clear which vowel sound should be stressed

Question 3

What does connotation mean?

Answer 3

When a word, phrase, or other component of a text is intended to carry a certain meaning (ie. the way the colour red is intended to convey anger)

Question 4

What is the effect of an connotation?

Answer 4

• Writers often use connotations to help convey emotions or feelings
• allows them to invoke a deeper emotional response in the reader

Question 4

What does consonance mean?

Answer 4

Repetition of a similar consonant sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity

Question 5

What is the effect of consonance?

Answer 5

• Consonance is remarkably similar to assonance in that it also helps to create rhythm in a text
• Makes a sentence more pleasing to the ear, thus increasing reader engagement

Question 6

What does contrast mean?

Answer 6

A rhetorical device in which a writer draws attention to the difference between two characters, things, or events

Question 7

What is the effect of contrast?

Answer 7

• Through comparing and contrasting, writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements, further engaging the reader

Question 8

What does dissonance mean?

Answer 8

• Use of harsh and interrupting sounds in text
• particularly with use of words that generally do not work together

Question 9

What is the effect of dissonance?

Answer 9

• Dissonance creates a tone of tension and unease, building suspense for the reader
• Relays emotions felt by the characters

Question 10

What is the effect of alliteration?

Answer 10

• Alliteration draws attention to certain phrases or sentences
• Not only draws the eye of the reader on the page, but the phrase has more emphasis when read

Question 11

What is the effect of hyperbole?

Answer 11

• Hyperbole often adds an element of comedy and amusement to a text
• Allows an author to add excitement to a tedious or mundane subject

Question 12

What does imagery mean?

Answer 12

• Visually descriptive language used to appeal to the reader’s senses

Question 13

What is the effect of imagery?

Answer 13

• Using imagery increases reader engagement by allowing them to use their imagination to put themselves in the scene
• If they can visualise the scene, they will become more invested in the storyline

Question 14

What does irony mean?

Answer 14

• Expression of an emotion or thought by using language which typically means the opposite
• Often amusing, which injects a degree of comedy into a text

Question 15

What is the effect of irony?

Answer 15

• Irony draws attention to a statement by bringing humour to a situation
• Often also introduces a degree of dread

Question 16

What does juxtaposition mean?

Answer 16

• Two opposing things placed next to each other for contrast

Question 17

What is the effect of juxtaposition?

Answer 17

• Juxtaposition is used to draw attention to the differences between two things
• Useful for establishing character personalities in the context of each other

Question 18

What is the effect of a metaphor?

Answer 18

• Metaphors draw the attention of the reader by engaging their imagination in their interpretation of the metaphor
• They create more manageable images in the reader’s mind, thus further prompting engagement

Question 19

What is the effect of onomatopoeia?

Answer 19

• Onomatopoeia is often used in poetry to add depth to the text
• Using words that sound how they are written engages the reader’s senses, encouraging deeper emotional involvement

Question 20

What is the effect of an oxymoron?

Answer 20

• Oxymorons are used to draw the reader’s attention; the element of confusion they create causes readers to stop & ponder the meaning of the phrase

Question 21

What are plosive sounds?

Answer 21

• Harsh sounds associated with the letters p, t, k, b, d, and g which interrupt airflow by closing the mouth

Question 22

What is the effect of plosive sounds?

Answer 22

• Plosive sounds are harsh, and help convey complex emotions like frustration & anger
• Allows readers to more deeply understand the emotions at play in a scene

Question 23

What is the effect of repetition?

Answer 23

• Repetition is used to emphasise a point or motif
• By repeating something over & over, it makes it clear that it is important to the text
• If the repetition is of words/phrases, it draws the eye of the reader while simultaneously emphasising the importance of the idea

Question 24

What is the effect of rhyme?

Answer 24

• Rhyming makes a text more interesting & more memorable
• Adds rhythm to a text
• Used to invoke deeper emotion
• Emphasises how trivial an item/idea is

Question 25

What is the effect of a simile?

Answer 25

• Similes work in much the same way as metaphors, drawing the attention of the reader by engaging their imagination
• Creates more manageable images in the reader’s mind, thus further prompting engagement

Question 26

What is the effect of sibilance?

Answer 26

• Like alliteration, sibilance draws attention to certain phrases or sentences
• Used to create a negative atmosphere