IB English Language and Literature Paper 1 Stylistic Features

Allegory

A literary work in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolise a deeper moral and spiritual meaning.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

Ambiguity

An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way.

Analogy

Illustrating the subject under discussion by making a parallel comparison

Anachronism

something or someone out of place in terms of historical or chronological context

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases to create emphasis

Anthropomorphism

Attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object (e.g Queen of hearts)

Antithesis

A figure of speech in which a thought is balanced with a contrasting thought.

Anecdote

A short account of an particular situation or incident

Apostrophe

Where a speaker addresses a person or object that is not alive

Archaism

Intentional use of a word or expression no longer used to evoke a sense of a bygone era

Bias

Promoting on specific point of view in a text and deliberately excluding others

Connotation

Suggestion of a word meaning beyond what it explicitly denotes

Cliche

A stereotypical expression which is overused

Diction

Choice of words

Ellipsis

The omission of words necessary to complete a sentence (...) or (-) used for dramatic effect, tension, confusion, etc.

Enumeration

Listing items in order.

Euphemism

a word or phrase that is used in a place of a more direct term that might be offensive.

Exposition

Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something.

Figurative Language

Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal meaning of the words themselves (inc. metaphor, simile, personification, irony, etc)

Hyperbole

An extremem exaggeration

Imagery

Words that create a picture in the reader's mind

Irony

A literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true.

Oxymoron

Two apparently contradictory terms

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth

Parallelism

Use of similar or identical language, structures, events or ideas in different parts of a text.

Satire

The ridicule of something the writer dislikes

Sensationalize

Describing something in an exaggerated way to shock and engage the reader.

Syntax

Arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences.

Understatement

A statement that says less than what is meant

Euphony

Denotes pleasant, harmonious sound

Cacophony

Denotes harsh, jarring noise

Hypophora

Asking a question and then answering it.

Tricolon

Sentence of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses.