Language techniques

Question 1

A story or narrative with two meanings; the obvious or literal meaning that is immediately clear, and a second, usually hidden meaning.

Answer 1

Allegory

Question 2

Using two sentences with contradictory or contrasting meanings close to one another, sometimes even in immediate succession.

Answer 2

Antithesis

Question 3

A subtle or passing reference to an event, person, place, other text, etc. that is intended to be noticed by readers (though isn’t always picked up on).

Answer 3

Allusion

Question 4

When something is left to the reader’s imagination. Often this involves the author not stating explicitly what is happening, what has been said, etc.

Answer 4

Ambiguity

Question 5

An immediately recognisable character, concept or object that makes it easy for audiences to categorise them based on what they resemble in literature.

Answer 5

Archetype

Question 6

The process by which characters are introduced, described and then fully formed through their choices, interactions, etc.

Answer 6

Characterisation

Question 7

The ideas, feelings or concepts associated with specific words, phrases or situations that go beyond their literal meaning.

Answer 7

Connotations

Question 8

This is essentially a ‘story within a story’, wherein the main narrative is being told, remembered, etc. by someone in the ‘outside narrative.

Answer 8

Frame narrative

Question 9

Another character in a story that specifically contrasts the main character in order to emphasise the main character’s attributes and values or compare the values of the two characters.

Answer 9

Foil

Question 10

The act of referring to something not by its actual name but by a figurative name or the name of something associated with it.

Answer 10

Metonymy

Question 11

An idea, symbol, object, concept or theme that is always present throughout an entire text, playing a significant and/or symbolic role in the narrative.

Answer 11

Motif

Question 12

A specific from of alliteration involving the repetition of ‘s’ within a phrase or sentence.

Answer 12

Sibilance

Question 13

Any techniques that focus on the sounds produced by words and/or how they relate to one another.

Answer 13

Sound devices

Question 14

The overall message or moral of a narrative which is intended to cause audiences to think on real-life issues or moral questions.

Answer 14

Theme

Question 15

Uses two similar concepts or ideas to create a relationship or draw comparisons between the two.

Answer 15

Analogy

Question 16

Similar to alliteration, however in this case it is vowel sounds that are repeated.

Answer 16

Assonance

Question 17

Repetition of consonants at the beginning of successive words or within sentences/phrases to create a sense of rhythm, though they can be overdone (as in tongue twisters).

Answer 17

Alliteration

Question 18

A common and/or overused expression, often found in similes and metaphors.

Answer 18

Cliché

Question 19

Any situation wherein two different or opposing things are presented together in order to highlight their differences.

Answer 19

Contrast

Question 20

The time, place and social setting within which a text was created, including the values of the time, the world events, major topics of discussion, key figures, etc.

Answer 20

Context

Question 21

Any situation wherein the audience is privy to some sort of information that the characters do not know, building audience tension, suspense, etc.

Answer 21

Dramatic irony

Question 22

A mild or ‘proper’ expression used to replace one that is harsh, blunt or otherwise offensive in order to not cause trouble or appear vulgar.

Answer 22

Euphemism

Question 23

The act of hinting at or setting up a situation, event or action that will later be extremely important in the narrative but doesn’t seem important at the time.

Answer 23

Foreshadowing

Question 24

The construction and structure of a text based on the text type, the context and the author’s personal stylistic choices.

Answer 24

Form

Question 25

Incomplete or broken off sentences used most commonly in dialogue to replicate regular speech patterns and being cut off or trailing off while speaking.

Answer 25

Fractured sentences

Question 26

The purposeful over-exaggeration of a statement in order to create a more intense or over-the-top effect.

Answer 26

Hyperbole

Question 27

Words used to create an idea or mental image of something, most often found in descriptions or created through descriptive language.

Answer 27

Imagery

Question 28

This occurs when one text makes reference to another text, either obviously or in a more subtle way (e.g. allusions) in order to make a point or draw links between the two.

Answer 28

Intertextuality

Question 29

A disconnect between what is said and what is meant, usually with the words said having a second insulting, humorous or satirical meaning.

Answer 29

Irony

Question 30

The strength or force of a word, which low modality words being passive while high modality words are forceful.

Answer 30

Modality

Question 31

A word that it the ‘sound’ of what it represents, allowing the reader to ‘hear’ what is occurring.

Answer 31

Onomatopoeia

Question 32

Two contradictory words or concepts used together to create a strange or complex thing/idea that still makes sense.

Answer 32

Oxymoron

Question 33

The way a sentence is constructed – short, long, fragmented, compound, complex, etc.

Answer 33

Syntax