Literary Devices and Writing Techniques

Flashcards based on lecture notes about literary devices and writing techniques, designed for exam preparation.

What is hyperbole?

Hyperbole is an exaggeration or overstatement that's not meant to be taken literally, it gives a dramatic effect emphasizing to evoke a response from the readers.

What are metaphors?

Metaphors describe something in non-literal terms, used to create a vivid image or express an emotion and is used to compare.

What is personification?

Personification is when an object or a thing portrays human-like characteristics to help the reader create a clearer mental picture of the scene or object being described .

What is alliteration?

Alliteration is when two or more words that start with the same consonant sound or vowel that rhymes in a phrase or a sentence and can also be used to emphasize words, phrases, and ideas.

What is assonance?

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in neighboring words in a line commonly used to add musicality, rhythm, and rhyming effects to the pieces.

What is consonance?

Consonance is the repetition of similar or identical consonant sounds in a sentence, line, or phrase used to add musicality, rhythm, and rhyming effects to the pieces.

What is sibilance?

Sibilance is a specific type of alliteration that uses the soft consonants and is a literary device where strongly emphasized hissing or hushing sounds are repeated throughout a sentence.

What is an oxymoron?

An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning often used for emphasis, for humour, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox.

What is repetition?

Repetition is a literary device that reinforces a concept, thought, or idea for a reader by repeating certain words or phrases used to call attention to what is being repeated, which can generate greater focus on a particular subject and intensify its meaning.

What is anaphora?

Anaphora is a rhetorical device that features the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.

What is foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing is when an author indirectly drops hints at—through things such as dialogue, description, or characters' actions—what's to come later on in the story, often used to introduce tension to a narrative.

What is a red herring?

Red herring distracts readers from the main issue or argument by introducing irrelevant information or ideas often used to mislead readers, add mystery and thriller, or to persuade.

What is a flashback?

A flashback is an interruption in a narrative that depicts (show) events that have already occurred often used to give the reader more background information and details about specific characters, events, and plots.

What is juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different (usually opposite) ideas, characters, objects, etc. often used to help create a clearer picture of the characteristics of one object or idea by comparing it with those of another.

What is a paradox?

A paradox is a statement that appears illogical or self-contradictory but, upon investigation, might be true or plausible.

What is a proverb?

A short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice, providing wisdom and insight.

What is a euphemism?

A euphemism is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of another word or phrase that is considered harsh.

What is diction?

Diction refers to the choice of word by an author and also the overall style and tone created by those words.

What is mood in writing?

Mood is the general feeling the writer wants the audience to have achievable through description, setting, dialogue, and word choice.

What is a pun?

A pun is a play on words that creates humor or a double meaning and can add humor and cleverness to writing.

What is Rhetorical Parallelism?

Rhetorical Parallelism involves the deliberate repetition of similar grammatical structures within a sentence or across sentences for the purpose of amplifying emphasis and clarity, thus enriching the impact of the statement.

What is Synonymous parallelism?

Synonymous parallelism is Repeating the same idea using different words or phrases, reinforcing the message, and adding depth.

What is “rule of three”?

The “rule of three” is based on the principle that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than any other number and Makes writing sound more natural and engaging.