Advanced Higher English - Literary Techniques

Literary techniques used for the textual analysis papers of the advanced higher English exam (2024)

Alliteration

A series of words in quick succession that all start with the same letter or sound.

Onomatopoeia

Words that sound like the thing they’re referring to.

E.g. boom, snap, buzz, etc.

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words that describe one thing

E.g. bittersweet, painfully beautiful, etc.

Repetition

Repeat a word or phrase through successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

Short sentences

For dramatisation and to capture our attention, usually aim to cause strong emotionally reaction from reader.

Long sentences

To help create a relaxed mood, and used for a rhythmic flowing feel.

Complex sentences with multiple layers (created by parenthesis)

Used to build up ideas atop of one another.

Forms of Parenthesis ~ Hyphen

Hyphens are used are they are effective in catching our eye and draw our attention to specific words.

Forms of Parenthesis ~ Brackets

Used to clarify or explain a part of the sentence that is not present but also used for often numerous personal input.

Forms of Parenthesis ~ Quotation marks

Used to indicate when directly quoting from a source of text.

Word Choice

Helps create: mood, emotions and ideas within the reader.

Points out main themes and tones of the text.

Allegory

Where things represent more than they appear to on the surface.

E.g. The tortoise and the Hare

Anecdote

A short story, concisely told, that illustrates an idea or experience.

Bookending

To begin and end with two similar or same ideas, words, etc.

Sentence Construction

Short sentences

Long sentences

Complex sentences

Forms of Parenthesis

Characterisation

How are character is introduced, established, developed and where they end.

Character Arc

The change of a character across a narrative, often forming the basis for a principle idea in the text.

Dramatic irony

When the reader knows more about the situation going on than at least one of the character involved.

Exposition

When the narrative provides background information in order to help the reader understand what’s going on.

Foreshadowing

When the author hints at events yet to come in a story.

In Media Res

Starting a narrative without exposition or contextual information.

Launches straight into a scene of action that is already unfolding.

Point of view/narrative

1st person = I, we

3rd person = he, she, they

Omniscient = we hear the voices in multiple character’s heads

Internal = we are in someone’s head

External = we are outside of the main character

Tone

Mood or atmosphere, established with word choice mainly.

Analogy

Connects two seemingly unrelated concepts to show their similarities and expand in a thought or idea.

Anthropomorphism

Applying human traits or qualities to a non-human thing.

Euphemism

An indirect(polite) way of describing something

Hyperbole

Exaggeration

Imagery

Scotland: Metaphor, simile, personification.

World: Any devices that is used to create a vivid image.

Irony

A contrast between how things seem and how they really are.

• Dramatic

• Situational

• Verbal

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows what will happen before characters do

Situational Irony

When we expect a certain outcome, only to be surprised by a turn of events, as if fate has a cruel sense of humour.

Verbal Irony

When the intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what was said.

Juxtaposition

Where two or more dissimilar words, themes, concepts are placed side by side, and the profound contrast highlights their differences.

Motif

A respected element that creates pattern and helps to develop the theme.

Aphorism

A universally accepted truth stated in a concise, to-the-point way.

Colloquialism

The use of causal and informal language in writing.

Non-sequitur

A statement that does not logically follow what precedes it. They’ll often be quite absurd and can lend humour to a story.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement which may prove to be true or possible.

Register

A group of words that belongs to a certain group.

• Formal/informal

• Slang

• Educated

• Elitist

• Heteronormative

• Working/middle class

• Misogynistic

• Misandrist

• Privileged

Rhetorical Question

A question that is asked to create an effect rather than looking for an answer.