Technique
Allegory
Allusion
Alliteration
Definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually
moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic
characters and events.
an expression designed to call something to mind
without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of
adjacent or closely connected words.
Ambiguity
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation;
inexactness.
Analogy
a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the
purpose of explanation or clarification.
Anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning
of successive clauses.
Anecdote
a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or
person.
Anomaly
something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or
expected.
Anthropomorphism the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god,
animal, or object.
Archetype
a very typical example of a certain person or thing.
Assonance
resemblance of sound between syllables of nearby words, arising
particularly from the rhyming of two or more stressed vowels, but
not consonants (e.g. sonnet, porridge), but also from the use of
identical consonants with different vowels (e.g. killed, cold, culled )
Bricolage
something constructed or created from a diverse range of things.
Example
The Tortoise and the Hare –
rushing something is not always
best.
Calling someone ‘Scrooge’ is a
reference to ‘A Christmas Carol.
They are a miser.
Battling beetles
I saw her duck
Life is like a box of chocolates
It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times
A team losing a game they were
expected to win.
Talking animals
A stereotype
sonnet, porridge
killed, cold, culled
safety pins used to adorn clothing,
creating a distinctive punk look and
signifying rebellion
Cliché
Consonance
Contrast
Dialect
Dialogue
Diction
Didactic
Ellipsis
Emotive language
Enjambment
Euphemism
Exclamation
Figurative language
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original
thought.
consonant sounds are repeated within a group of words, creating a
sense of rhythm or emphasis
differ strikingly.
a particular form of a language which is only used in a specific
region or social group.
a conversation between two or more people
the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing
intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as
an ulterior motive.
a set of dots (…) indicating an ellipsis.
the use of words and phrases that are intended to evoke a strong
emotional response in the reader or listener. It's a technique used
to persuade, engage, and connect with an audience on a deeper,
emotional level
(in verse) the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond
the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one
considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to
something unpleasant or embarrassing.
a sudden cry or remark expressing surprise, strong emotion, or
pain.
language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation. It's a way to express
something in a non-literal sense, often to create vivid imagery,
evoke emotions, or add emphasis. Think of it as using "special
effects" with words.
every cloud has a silver lining
All's well that ends well." The
repetition of the "l" and "s"
sounds.
Light and Shadow
Bogan lingo
Aesop’s fables
And yet…
devastated, thrilled, heartbreaking
Let go (fired)
Pre-owned (used)
Gosh!
The world is your oyster
Flashback
Form
Foreshadowing
Fragmented/
Truncated
sentences
Hyperbole
Sensory imagery
Imperative voice
Intertextuality
Irony
Juxtaposition
Register
Linear/Non-linear
narrative
where a scene from the past is inserted into the current narrative.
the structure, organization, and style of a literary work,
encompassing elements like genre, narrative structure, and
specific techniques used to present the text
a warning or indication of (a future event).
an incomplete sentence lacking a subject, verb, or complete
thought, while a truncated sentence is an incomplete sentence
deliberately shortened by cutting off the ending, often to create a
specific stylistic effect
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
the use of descriptive language that appeals to the five senses
(sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) to create vivid mental
images in the reader's mind
a grammatical mood used to express commands, requests,
instructions, or advice. Typified by the forceful use of a verb at the
start of a phrase.
the relationship between texts, especially literary ones.
the expression of one's meaning by using language that
normally signifies the opposite, typically
for humorous or emphatic effect.
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together
with contrasting effect.
the specific style and choice of grammar, words, and expressions
used in writing to suit its particular context, such as a formal,
academic, or polite situation
A linear narrative presents events in a direct, chronological order,
creating a clear beginning-middle-end structure, while a non-linear
narrative presents events out of chronological order, using
techniques like flashbacks and parallel storylines to explore
No peace and quiet here.
I’m starved. I could eat a horse.
the aroma of freshly baked bread
Sit down!
A fire station burning down
Metaphor
Metonymy
Modality
Motif
Onomatopoeia
Paradox
Parody
Pathetic Fallacy
Periphrasis
Personification
Perspective
Repetition
Rhyme
Satire
themes, reveal character, or create a sense of confusion or
intrigue.
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object
or action to which it is not literally applicable.
If something is something else, it is a metaphor. It is like or as
something else, it is a simile.
the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of
the thing meant,
High Modality language – certain
Low Modality language – uncertain
a dominant or recurring symbol that is linked to an idea or theme
the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is
named
seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which
when investigated may prove to be well founded or true
Produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of
attributing human emotions to inanimate objects or nature
using a longer, more complex phrase to say something simple,
which can be funny because of the contrast between the elaborate
wording and the basic meaning
to give human qualities to non-human things
a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a
point of view.
repeating something that has already been said or written.
correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words,
especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose
and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context
of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Life is a rollercoaster.
‘the crown’ means the monarchy.
This is absolutely necessary
Birds can symbolise freedom
Boom, bang, whoosh.
Less is more.
describing a gloomy day as "sad"
The wind whispered
time after time
Sibilance
Simile
Symbolism
Syntax
Theme
Tone
Diction/Word
choice
Zoomorphism
a literary device characterized by the repetition of hissing or
hushing sounds, often created by the repetition of "s" sounds, but
also potentially including "sh", "z", "zh", "ch", "soft c", "f", "th" and
"v" sounds within a phrase or sentence. It's frequently used in
poetry to evoke specific moods and imagery, such as a sense of
softness, calmness, or even a chilling effect, depending on the
context.
the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind,
used to make a description more emphatic or vivid
where an object, person, or idea represents something beyond its
literal meaning, often conveying abstract ideas or themes
the arrangement of words and phrases to create wellformed sentences in a language.
an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature.
the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing,
situation
the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
The sassy snake slithered silently
the attribution of animal forms, characteristics, or behaviors to
non-animal entities, including humans, deities, or inanimate
objects
A character "growling" before
speaking
He runs like the wind.
A heart can symbolize love