Language Techniques Flashcards

(10 cards)

1
Q

Alliteration

A

Starts with the same letter.
Can reflect ;

  1. Emphasis: Alliteration can draw attention to specific words or phrases, making them stand out in a text. This can enhance the overall impact of a message.
  2. Mood and Tone: The repetition of consonant sounds can create a particular mood or tone. For example, soft sounds might evoke calmness, while harsher sounds could convey tension or urgency.
  3. Rhythm and Flow: Alliteration contributes to the musicality of language, creating a rhythm that can make text more engaging and memorable.
  4. Theme and Meaning: It can reinforce themes or concepts within a piece of writing. For instance, if a character is associated with a particular sound, it may reflect their personality or role in the story.
  5. Characterization: In poetry and prose, alliteration can enhance the characterization, making names or descriptions more vivid and impactful.

Overall, alliteration serves as a powerful stylistic device that enriches language and enhances communication.

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2
Q

Similes

A

Saying something is like or as something else.
They can enhance imagery by making it more vivid or relatable.
Reveal writes tone and style, convey emotions , etc.

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3
Q

Metaphors

A

Saying something is something else.

  • Enhance imagery
  • Convey deeper meanings
  • Reveal the author’s tone and style
  • Simplify complex concepts
  • Evoke emotions
  • Create connections between ideas
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4
Q

Pathetic fallacy

A

Pathetic fallacy is when human emotions or characteristics are attributed to nature or inanimate objects, often to reflect the mood of a scene. For example, describing a stormy sky to reflect a character’s anger or sadness.

  • Reflects the mood or emotions of characters
  • Enhances atmosphere and setting
  • Foreshadows events
  • Mirrors inner feelings of characters
  • Adds symbolic meaning to the narrative
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5
Q

Oxymoron

A

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to create a unique or thought-provoking expression. For example, phrases like “bittersweet,” “deafening silence,” or “jumbo shrimp” showcase this contrast, often highlighting complexity or irony in a situation.

  • Highlight contradictions or complexities in a situation
  • Create irony or humor
  • Emphasize a particular quality or characteristic
  • Reflect the complexity of human emotions
  • Draw attention to specific ideas or themes in the text
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6
Q

Semantic field

A

A theme of a text, e.g war - ‘cannons, bullets, trench’

  • Establish a specific atmosphere or mood
  • Highlight themes or motifs
  • Show the author’s focus or intention
  • Create coherence and unity in the text
  • Reflect characters’ professions, interests, or emotions
  • Reinforce the setting or context
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7
Q

Onomatopoeia

A

Words that imitate sound. e.g bang

  • Enhance sensory experience and imagery
  • Create a more immersive reading experience
  • Convey emotions or moods through sound
  • Emphasize action or movement in a scene
  • Add rhythm and musicality to the text
  • Reflect character traits or settings through specific sounds
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8
Q

Hyperbole

A

A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim that isn’t meant to be taken literally. It’s often used for emphasis or dramatic effect. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” is a hyperbole that emphasizes extreme hunger rather than a literal intention to eat a horse.

  • Sensory Engagement: Creates vivid imagery and sound experiences.
  • Emotion Conveyance: Reflects feelings or moods through sound.
  • Action Emphasis: Highlights movement or activity in a scene.
  • Characterization: Reveals traits or attitudes of characters.
  • Rhythm and Flow: Adds musicality to the text.
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9
Q

Personification

A

Giving human traits to non human things.

  • Emotion and Mood: Conveys feelings and sets the tone.
  • Imagery: Creates vivid and relatable images.
  • Characterization: Attributes human traits to non-human elements.
  • Theme: Highlights central ideas or themes.
  • Connection: Engages readers by making abstract concepts more relatable.
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10
Q

Imagery

A

Auditory (hear)
Olfactory (smell)
Tactile (touch) -

Sensory Experience: Engages the reader’s senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell).
- Emotion and Mood: Evokes emotions and sets the atmosphere.
- Visualization: Helps readers create mental images of scenes or characters.
- Theme Reinforcement: Highlights and supports central themes.
- Characterization: Provides deeper insight into characters and settings.

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