(EN) Techniques and devices used in short stories and essays

Question 1

cause and effect

Answer 1

An author emphasizes a relationship between actions or events when one is the result of another.

Question 2

comparison / contrast

Answer 2

An author can use comparison to examine two things, mentioning both similarities and differences. A contrast focuses on differences — typically major differences.

Question 3

description

Answer 3

An author can provide details about a person, place, or thing.

Question 4

dialogue

Answer 4

An author can create conversations to develop the story. Dialogue normally appears in quotation marks.

Question 5

diction

Answer 5

An author chooses particular words, phrases, and expressions. Use an adjective to describe the style of diction (e.g., simple, formal, emotional, scientific, objective, etc.).

Question 6

imagery

Answer 6

The author can use descriptions that create sensory impressions in a reader’s mind — usually sights or sounds, but occasionally the senses of taste, smell, or touch. More vivid than description.

Question 7

metaphor

Answer 7

The author can refer to something as if it were something else (e.g. “Life is a winding road”).

Question 8

symbolism

Answer 8

The author can use something to represent an idea, a concept, a common experience, a feeling, etc. Symbols can be objects, animals, colours, light or darkness, weather, etc. (e.g., a dark shadow can symbolize death)

Question 9

tone

Answer 9

The author can convey an overall feeling in a text. A tone can be angry, joyful, sorrowful, fearful, nostalgic, optimistic, cynical, sympathetic, apologetic, etc.

Question 10

level of language

Answer 10

The degree of formality of the language can range from very casual (e.g., slang, a personal tone, and unstructured) to very formal (e.g., a scholarly tone and sophisticated vocabulary).