Literary Techniques Part 1 (1-20)

allegory

a prose or poetic narrative in which the characters, behavior, and even the setting demonstrates multiple levels of meaning and significance. Examples: Animal Farm. the parable of the mustard seed.

alliteration

the repetition of a similar sound at the beginning of words, usually applied to consonants. It is used to emphasize by catching the reader's attention. Example: "My Mets make my life miserable."

allusion

a reference to a literary or historical event, person, or place. They are meant to call to mind a backstory and/or any associated ideas. Example: "Mrs. Higa shot down my first 8 restaurant suggestions, but when I asked for her to choose, she pulled a Pontious Pilate, claiming it was up to me."

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase to begin several successive clauses or phrases. It is meant for emphasis through repetition/reinforcement. Example: "How dare you speak to me that way! How dare you undermine my authority! How dare you think you could every be my equal!"

apostrophe

an address to an inanimate object or a character who is not present in the scene. Example: a writer may write to the ocean; a character may give a speech on a dead lover.

archetype

recurrent designs, patterns of action, character types, themes, or images which are identifiable in a wide range of literature. They often serve as blueprint to be utilized or subverted for various functions. Examples: 5-phase plot diagram, the 3-act play/trilogy (patterns of action) the humorous sidekick, the hero from humble beginnings

assonance

a repetition of identical vowel sounds within the syllables of words.Example: "Mike finds guiding lives sublime."

blank verse

the type of verse which most resembles common speech. Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter (ten-syllable lines of alternating unstressed/stressed syllables."

conceit

a comparison of two unlikely things that is often drawn out within a piece of literature, as an extended metaphor in particular. Example: comparing a romance to the growth of a tree - its seeding, blossoming, then dying.

connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

denotation

the literal meaning of a word

diction

word choice, the basis of many other devices including imagery and tone. Can be given a modifier for different effects such as elevated diction, colloquial diction, etc.

elegy

a poetic lament on the death of a person, or possibly the end of a period, event, etc.

enjambment

the continuation of a sentence from one line of poetry to the next.

extended metaphor

a metaphor that runs the entire length of the work.

free verse

poetry characterized by varying line lengths, lack of traditional meter, and non-rhyming lines

hyperbole

overstatement/exaggeration for effect

imagery

language meant to appeal to the 5 senses, in most cases to make the subject matter more accessible to the reader.

irony

the disparity between what is expected or understood versus what actually happens or meant.

jargon

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.