AICE English Language Linguistic Techniques

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering literary techniques and devices from the AICE English Language lecture notes.

A metaphor is defined as a figure of speech containing an __________ comparison.

implied

A simile is a figure of speech and type of metaphor that compares two different things using the words __________ or __________.

“like” or “as”

Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human __________ and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human.

attributes

An allusion is a reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other __________ work with which the reader is presumably familiar.

literary

A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else; it represents something beyond __________ meaning.

literal

Imagery is vivid descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the __________.

senses

An anecdote is a very short story that is significant to the topic at hand, usually adding personal __________ or experience to the topic.

knowledge

Alliteration refers to the repetition of initial __________ sounds in two or more nearby words.

consonant

While hyperbole uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect, __________ deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

understatement

A colloquialism is a word or phrase used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in __________ writing.

formal

Direct speech is a report of the exact words used by a speaker or writer, usually placed inside __________ marks.

quotation

Foreshadowing is a literary device writers utilize to indicate or hint to readers something that is to __________ later in a story.

follow or appear

Jargon is the use of specific phrases and words in a particular situation, profession, or __________.

trade

Stream of consciousness captures the continuous flow of __________ of a person as they occur.

thoughts

Modal verbs show possibility, intent, ability, or __________ and are used together with the main verb of the sentence.

necessity

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses is anaphora, while repetition at the end is __________.

epiphora

Hypophora is a rhetorical strategy in which a speaker or writer raises a question and then __________ answers it.

immediately

Assonance is the identity or similarity in sound between internal __________ in neighboring words.

vowels

A euphemism substitutes an __________ term for one considered offensively explicit.

inoffensive

A neologism refers to a new word, expression, or usage, or the creation or use of new words or __________.

senses

The device that intentionally eliminates conjunctions between phrases while maintaining grammatical accuracy is __________.

asyndeton

Polysyndeton is a stylistic device in which several coordinating __________ are used in succession.

conjunctions

Ambiguity refers to a word, phrase, or statement containing more than one meaning, intentionally leading to vagueness and __________.

confusion

Imperative sentences are used to issue a command or instruction, make a request, or offer advice, with an understood subject of __________.

“you”

Onomatopoeia refers to sounds __________ a word.

imitating