Literary Techniques

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

Story-telling technique that employs symbolic characters, objects, or events to convey deeper meanings or messages.
(Like the tortoise and the hare story).

Question 2

Alliteration

Answer 2

A series of words in a sentence or phrase begin with the same consonant sound, creating a rhythm of emphasis.
(She sells seashells)

Question 3

Allusion

Answer 3

Reference to a person, place, event, etc. Often made indirectly or briefly. Purpose is to evoke meaning by using “things” the audience is likely to recognize. (He is acting like Scrooge today).

Question 4

Ambiguity

Answer 4

Refers to a situation where a word, phrase, or statement that has more than one meaning, interpretation, or outcome. (I saw the man with the telescope, did he have the telescope or you)?

Question 5

Anaphora

Answer 5

A word or group of words is repeated at the beginning of clauses, sentences, or lines to create emphasis. Often used in speeches to highlight a point. (“I have a dream”).

Question 6

Antecedent

Answer 6

A word, phrase or clause that is referred to later by a pronoun. Pronoun replaces the antecedent to avoid repetition. (Sarah loves her dog. Sarah is the antecedent).

Question 7

Antithesis

Answer 7

Two opposing ideas are placed in close proximity to create a contrast. (Give me liberty or give me death).

Question 8

Aphorism

Answer 8

A short concise statement that expresses a general truth, principle, or observation about life. (Early bird gets the warm).

Question 9

Apostrophe

Answer 9

A speaker addresses someone or something that is absent, dead, or non-humans as if it were present and capable of responding. (O’Freedom how sweet your name sounds) As if freedom were a person.

Question 10

Cacophony

Answer 10

Harsh mixture of sounds. Creating jarring and tension.
(He grunted and gruffed as he ran).

Question 11

Caricature

Answer 11

A description of a person, place, or thing that deliberately exaggerate certain features or characteristics for effect. (He was a walking, talking boast).

Question 12

Catharsis

Answer 12

Usually in drama or storytelling. Refers to the emotional release or cleansing experienced by characters or audience. (Poetic language surrounding death in Romeo and Juliet).

Question 13

Clause

Answer 13

Group of words that contains both a subject and predicate. (I enjoy reading. Subject = I, Predicate = enjoy reading), leave reader asking “why?”

Question 14

Colloquialism

Answer 14

Use of informal words, that are common in everyday language but are avoided in writing/speech. (“Gonna head out now”).

Question 15

Connotation

Answer 15

Emotional, cultural, or associative meanings attached to a word beyond its literal dictionary definition (denotation). (Home suggest warmth, comfort, and security).

Question 16

Diction

Answer 16

Choice and use of words in speech and writing. Shapes tone, style, and meaning of text. “ (Sophisticated language).

Question 17

Digression

Answer 17

When a speaker or writer temporarily shifts away from main topic to discuss something unrelated. (Speaking of Algebra…my teacher is very cool).

Question 18

Ethos

Answer 18

Convincing reader that the speaker/writer is trustworthy. (As A doctor with 20 years of experience, I can say this treatment is safe).

Question 19

Euphemism

Answer 19

Mild, polite, or indirect words or phrases used to replace one that might be considered harsh. (Passed away, instead of dead).

Question 20

Foil

Answer 20

A character who contrasts with another. (Hero and villain).

Question 21

Forshadowing

Answer 21

A writer gives hints or clues about events that will occur later. (I have a bad feeling about this)l.

Question 22

Genre

Answer 22

A category or style of writing.

Question 23

Hyperbole

Answer 23

Exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally. (I am so hungry I could eat a horse).

Question 24

Imagery

Answer 24

Descriptive language to create sensory experiences. (Drowned with the fume of poppies).

Question 25

Invective

Answer 25

Involving harsh, abusive, or insulting language used to criticize or attack a person. Often used to express strong and negative language. (You are a nothing but a good-for-nothing coward).

Question 26

Irony

Answer 26

Discrepancy between appearance and reality, expectation and outcome, or meaning and intention. (After a downpour, someone says "what lovely weather we are having").

Question 27

Logos

Answer 27

Appealing to logic or reasoning. Uses evidence. (studies show test scores have improved by 25%).

Question 28

Metaphor

Answer 28

A direct comparison between 2 unrelated things. (Time is a thief, suggests that time, like a thief steals moments from our lives).

Question 29

Metonomy

Answer 29

One word or phrase is substituted with another that is closely associated with it. (Dish as a substitute with a plate of food).

Question 30

Mood

Answer 30

Emotional atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.

Question 31

Motif

Answer 31

A recurring element, like an image, idea, symbol, and/or theme. (The green light in the Great Gatsby).

Question 32

Narrative

Answer 32

Type of writing that conveys a sequence of events. Uses figurative language.

Question 33

Onomatopoeia

Answer 33

A word imitates the natural sound it represents. (Sizzled, BAM).

Question 34

Oxymoron

Answer 34

2 contradictory or opposing words/ideas are combined. ("Bittersweet" this is something both painful and pleasant).

Question 35

Parable

Answer 35

A short, simple story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. (The boy who cried wolf).

Question 36

Paradox

Answer 36

Statement that appears to contradict itself, but often conveys a deeper truth when examined. ("less is more" suggest simplicity leads to a greater impact).

Question 37

Parody

Answer 37

A humorous limitation of a piece of work. Like mocking their style. (Space-balls is a parody of star wars).

Question 38

Pastoral

Answer 38

Idealizes rural-life and nature, often portraying them as peaceful. (The meadow whispers secrets to the morning breeze).

Question 39

Pathos

Answer 39

Appeals to emotions. (Just one dollar a life can save the day).

Question 40

Personification

Answer 40

Human qualities, emotions, to actions are attributed to non-human entities. (the wind howled through the night).

Question 41

POV

Answer 41

Perspective from which a story is told or an event is described. (1 person="I", 2 person = "you", 3 person = "Sarah"

Question 42

Rhetoric

Answer 42

Art of using language effectively and persuasively to inform, entertain, and influence.

Question 43

Rhetorical Question

Answer 43

Question asked for effect or emphasis, rather than to get an answer. (Isn't it time we took action to save the planet?).

Question 44

Satire

Answer 44

Using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or expose human flaws, and social norms. (Baldwins impersonation of Donald Trump).

Question 45

Setting

Answer 45

Time a place a story occurs.